In the Hokage's office in Konoha.
Samui, Omoi, and Karui from Kumogakure were currently discussing the disappearance of the Two-Tails' jinchuriki with Tsunade.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade immediately thought of Lixing. The Akatsuki, the organization Lixing belonged to, seemed to be targeting tailed beasts.
"Your village's Two-Tails' jinchuriki is missing. It's likely the work of an organization called Akatsuki. From what I know, Akatsuki is a terrifying organization that gathers S-rank rogue ninjas from various countries, and they appear to be targeting tailed beasts."
"The Akatsuki? Is that the group that captured the One-Tail's jinchuriki from Sunagakure last time? I heard Konoha participated in the rescue as an ally. Please inform us of the details, Hokage-sama." Samui eagerly asked Tsunade for more information.
Tsunade sighed, "Alas, I don't know their exact purpose for capturing tailed beasts. They've had their eyes on our jinchuriki for a while. What I can confirm is that they wear black robes with red clouds, one of them specializes in explosions, and another was a puppeteer, but he is dead."
"However, according to the intelligence we've gathered so far, there's a red-haired girl with the Sharingan, and not just any Sharingan, but the Mangekyo Sharingan, like Madara Uchiha of old. And another..."
Tsunade paused here, feeling a tightness in her chest. Shizune quickly stepped forward to pour her a glass of water.
"Tsunade-sama, allow me to continue. Please rest for a moment."
Shizune then took over from Tsunade and spoke about Lixing.
"The last person Tsunade-sama mentioned was Tsunade-sama's former disciple. He was a genius ninja who mastered Tsunade-sama's Hundred Healings Jutsu in just over a year and was proficient in all medical ninjutsu. However, he left Tsunade-sama's side three years ago."
"In these three years, he might have learned other ninjutsu. When we saw him again, he was always carrying a sword, so we don't know his current abilities very well."
Omoi took a lollipop and put it in his mouth, saying casually, "Hokage-sama is truly a good teacher, nurturing someone who can threaten the tailed beasts of major nations."
Karui quickly covered Omoi's mouth, fearing he might offend the Hokage. They were in Konoha, after all.
"Be quiet. This is in front of the Hokage," Samui immediately stopped their bickering. As the team leader, Samui's mind was sharp. It was just that some matters were not convenient to discuss openly.
"Thank you for the information, Hokage-sama. We request permission to depart now, as we have other tasks."
Afterward, Samui led the two away from Konoha village. They were in a forest, contemplating Shizune's words.
"Samui, have you figured anything out? Was it possible that Yugito-sama was taken by someone from Konoha?"
Karui couldn't see any issues with Konoha, so she asked Samui.
"The information provided by the Hokage is true. The major countries are aware of what happened in Suna. The Land of Wind has even issued wanted posters for two individuals, likely the ones the Hokage mentioned. However, we can't rule out the possibility that Konoha ninjas were involved, and that person named Lixing is the most suspicious."
"A red-haired girl? The Kōun group has a red-haired woman. And that Yunyun, her hair color is the same as Lixing's. The Kōun group just left Kumogakure, and then Yugito-sama disappeared. It's highly possible that the Kōun group abducted Yugito-sama!"
Samui repeatedly recalled every word Tsunade had said and suddenly grasped the key point. Thinking of the hair color of the two individuals in the Kōun group, she suspected that the Kōun group might be members of the Akatsuki.
"Let's go! We'll report back to Raikage-sama immediately!"
Samui didn't bother resting and quickly leaped through the forest at top speed, heading back to Kumogakure.
"Huh? Could it be a coincidence? I quite like the Kōun group's songs," Karui and Omoi followed behind Samui, Omoi somewhat unwilling to believe it.
"There are no such coincidences in the world. The Kōun group left, and then Yugito-sama disappeared. It's highly probable that the Kōun group did something while in our village to lure Yugito-sama out, leading her into an ambush and subsequently capture."
It must be said, Samui was quite intelligent. She had guessed almost all of it. However, Samui would never have imagined that Yugito had willingly gone outside the village. If it had been within Kumogakure, Karin would have had difficulty capturing her alone without alerting the Raikage. Therefore, it could be understood as Yugito being captured willingly.
...
Shortly after Samui and her companions left, Tsunade continued to ponder the matter of the Akatsuki.
"Shizune, what do you think about the Akatsuki?"
Shizune was at a loss, clearly not expecting Tsunade-sama to ask her such a question. Shizune had never gone on missions and only learned about things from Tsunade.
"Tsunade-sama, I don't understand why the Akatsuki is capturing tailed beasts, nor why Lixing-kun joined such a dangerous organization."
Tsunade took a sip of water, "That kid Lixing said it was to add a touch of color to his journey. The Akatsuki's motives are impure, and it's certainly not for anything good."
"However, if we follow the Akatsuki's sequence, the next tailed beast they'll capture should be the Three-Tails. The Three-Tails seems to be without a jinchuriki at the moment. Quickly investigate the Three-Tails' location and seal it before the Akatsuki does."
"Yes! I'll notify the intelligence department immediately!"
With that, Shizune, carrying Tonton, rushed to Konoha's intelligence department.
...
Meanwhile, the Akatsuki had already sealed the Two-Tails into the Gedo Statue. For three days and three nights, they were unable to move. Lixing's shoulders were a bit sore. This kind of work was truly tiring.
"Now that the Two-Tails has been sealed, you've all worked hard. The next tailed beast is the Three-Tails. It's currently in its wild state, and its location hasn't been found yet. So, we'll start by capturing the Four-Tails. The Four-Tails' jinchuriki is Rōshi, a ninja from the Land of Earth. This time, Itachi and Kisame will go."
"The Land of Earth has another tailed beast, the Five-Tails. Its jinchuriki is Han. Kakuzu and Hidan will go capture him."
"Deidara, Tobi, Lixing, and Karin, you are permitted to rest for a while. Zetsu, you are responsible for searching for information on the Three-Tails. That is all. Dismissed!"
After announcing the next set of missions, Thiên Đạo Pain and Konan disappeared. The others also dispelled their clone jutsu.
Now, only Lixing, Karin, and Yugito remained in the cave. Karin had long since woken up and was keeping watch as Lixing sealed the tailed beast, while Yugito was still in a deep sleep.
"Hoshi-kun, this woman..."
Lixing took Karin's hand and led her to Yugito's side. "She's mine now. To be precise, she's my captive. She'll be with us from now on. Get along well."