Hokage's Office.
A group of Hidden Leaf's high-ranking officials gathered here, some with expressions of anger, others silent, and some with grim faces.
Tsunade spoke up: "This matter must be thoroughly investigated to the end!"
The Third glanced at Danzo but didn't immediately respond, as if weighing his options.
Danzo, though his face was grim, remained composed and unruffled.
This time, using Yakumo's parents to lure her out of the village was indeed something he had orchestrated in the shadows alongside Orochimaru.
But he had been extremely cautious.
Kurama Murakumo's mission was, on the surface, flawless, and the news of their team's endangerment was spread to the Kurama clan through rumors.
Thus, while Danzo played a significant role in the affair, all he had done was pass certain information to Orochimaru.
As long as Orochimaru wasn't captured, no one could pin anything on him.
And without a witness, even Tsunade couldn't easily topple a village advisor elder like him.
Realizing this, Mito Menma cleared his throat lightly: Cough cough. "Let's put the internal investigation on hold for now! We need to figure out why Orochimaru targeted Kurama Yakumo and what his connection is to the Akatsuki!"
Koharu Utatane nodded: "Yes, we can't rush the internal investigation."
Tsunade immediately shot a glare at Mito Menma and Koharu Utatane.
While these two advisor elders often disagreed with Danzo on many issues, when it came to the authority of the advisor elders, their stance would immediately align with his.
Seeing the situation slipping out of control, the Third spoke up: "I'll personally oversee this internal investigation! Now, let's move on to other matters. Jiraiya, has it been confirmed that Orochimaru defected from the Akatsuki?"
Jiraiya replied: "It's confirmed! The Akatsuki has even been inquiring about Orochimaru's whereabouts on the black market. So, I'm certain that this plot against Kurama Yakumo wasn't a collaboration between Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. They likely just happened to take an interest in Yakumo at the same time!"
"It seems the reappearance of 'Wood Release' has caught the Akatsuki's attention," the Third nodded, continuing, "I've read the report, and it mentioned a unique Akatsuki member. What's the deal with that?"
Kakashi, standing on the outskirts, stepped forward and detailed the situation at the scene before slowly saying: "Based on my observations, the Akatsuki member who appeared in spiritual form likely possesses a space-time ninjutsu similar to the Fourth's 'Flying Thunder God Technique.'"
"What!?"
Mito Menma and Koharu Utatane, hearing this for the first time, paled in unison.
No one understood the significance of 'space-time ninjutsu' better than these advisor elders who had witnessed the Fourth's rise.
If the Akatsuki had someone akin to the Fourth, it was absolutely disastrous news for the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
The Third, his face stern, asked: "Can you confirm it?"
Kakashi shook his head.
The Third then turned to Tsunade: "What about Kurama Yakumo? She was the one attacked; she should have some information, right?"
Tsunade replied: "I've already questioned her. The situation was chaotic, and the opponent approached her in spiritual form, striking instantly. She didn't have time to react, so she couldn't provide any useful information."
After a moment of contemplation, the Third said: "The fact that they could catch Yakumo, who possesses the Koryugan, off guard is already strong evidence. We can't afford to be complacent about this!"
Tsunade and Kakashi didn't object.
Clearly, they agreed with the Third's judgment. Though hard evidence was still lacking, based on the clues collected, it was likely true that the Akatsuki had a member wielding 'space-time ninjutsu.'
The Third called out: "Intelligence Analysis Team!"
"Here!"
Yamanaka Inoichi stepped forward.
The Third issued an order: "Immediately formulate contingency plans for dealing with spiritual forms and 'space-time ninjutsu'!"
"Understood!"
Yamanaka Inoichi responded and stepped back.
For a shinobi village like Hidden Leaf, no matter how troublesome spiritual forms or 'space-time ninjutsu' might be, they weren't entirely without countermeasures.
The Third turned to Kakashi again: "Anything else to add?"
Kakashi said: "The mysterious Akatsuki member was wearing a hooded red-cloud robe and a mask. They're likely distinct from Sasori and Deidara, belonging to the 'A' faction."
Mito Menma, not wanting another powerful enemy, asked: "Could they be 'A' themselves, or perhaps the already-known 'B' or 'C'?"
Kakashi shook his head: "I've seen all three members of the 'A' faction. Though they always wear masks, I'm certain this new Akatsuki member isn't 'A,' 'B,' or 'C.'"
Koharu Utatane couldn't help but grumble: "How does the Akatsuki keep recruiting such troublesome people?"
Kakashi continued: "I suggest we create a special file for this new Akatsuki member, similar to the one for 'A.'"
The Third nodded: "Very well, let's designate them as codename 'D' for now! Compile all intelligence related to 'D' and share it with the other villages as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
The group responded in unison.
After the meeting adjourned, Tsunade returned to Hidden Leaf Hospital.
To be safe, not only were all four members of Kurama Murakumo's team admitted to the hospital, but even Yakumo, who appeared uninjured, was kept there by Tsunade's orders.
Seeing Tsunade return, Shizune hurried to meet her: "Lady Tsunade, how's the investigation going?"
"Hmph!" Tsunade snorted coldly. "Investigate what? It's obviously that old fox Danzo!"
Shizune asked: "What did the Hokage say?"
"The old man hasn't made up his mind yet…" Shaking her head, Tsunade sighed: "Forget it. How's Yakumo? Have the test results come back?"
Shizune handed her a report: "We've checked her with every instrument. There's no trace of any mark resembling the 'Flying Thunder God Technique' formula on Yakumo's body. The opponent likely didn't have time to tamper with her!"
"That's a relief!"
Tsunade let out a breath. Her biggest fear was that the enemy had left some kind of mark on Yakumo, allowing them to strike her with 'space-time ninjutsu' next time.
Entering Yakumo's room, Tsunade asked: "How are you feeling?"
Yakumo replied helplessly: "Lady Tsunade, I'm really fine!"
"Even if you're fine, you'd better stay in the hospital for the next few days!" Tsunade briefly recounted the discussion in the Hokage's office, then added: "That Akatsuki member, codenamed 'D,' has set their sights on you. You need to be extra cautious for a while!"