Unlike the original timeline, where Kakashi only discovered years later that his Sharingan was a Mangekyo Sharingan, the butterfly effect caused by Uchiha Shinji led to the Akatsuki's earlier activity. This sparked a chain of conflicts, enabling Kakashi to develop the method to activate his Mangekyo Sharingan much sooner.
He hadn't shared this secret with anyone yet.
Originally, he planned to tell Sasuke and discuss Mangekyo Sharingan techniques with the fellow Mangekyo Uchiha, but Sasuke's disdain silenced him. So, Kakashi was left to explore it privately.
In the Apartment.
Sasuke was still brooding over the earlier encounter, indignant. "The village sent Kakashi to guide me in using the Sharingan? What a joke!"
His mind flashed to the leader and 'B.'
To him, the only ones qualified to mentor him in using the Sharingan were the leader and 'B,' both of whom possessed Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
At that moment, he felt a faint dizziness.
This was a normal reaction to having a large amount of chakra drained. Knowing the extraction would likely continue all night, he calmed his thoughts and closed his eyes to rest.
To exact his revenge, he still needed the organization's strength, so he gritted his teeth and endured.
In the Hokage Building.
Under bright lights, the meeting room hosted Hidden Leaf's top brass, including the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the advisory elders, fiercely debating the next steps.
"The Akatsuki poses a greater threat than 'Upper Moon.' We shouldn't help the Akatsuki hunt down 'Upper Moon'—that would only benefit them," Danzo argued passionately.
Tsunade interrupted, displeased. " 'Upper Moon' are literal man-eating monsters! How can we allow such creatures to rampage through the shinobi world?"
Danzo was unmoved. "So what? Even if they're man-eating beasts, they're beasts that trouble the Akatsuki! Besides, when doesn't the shinobi world see death?"
Jiraiya frowned slightly. " 'Upper Moon' isn't exactly friendly toward us either."
Danzo ignored Tsunade and Jiraiya, addressing the Third directly. "Hiruzen, 'Upper Moon' is a card that determines whether we can smoothly eliminate the Akatsuki. Weigh your priorities carefully!"
The Third's face was grim, and he remained silent.
The fully manifested Susanoo Tomoshibi of 'A' and 'B' had exerted immense pressure on the five great shinobi villages. Even a seasoned leader like the Third was momentarily unsure how to proceed.
Seeing the deadlock, Koharu Utatane lightly tapped the table. "Let's set aside the 'Upper Moon' matter for now and discuss how to deal with the Akatsuki."
From the head of the table, the Third's gaze shifted to the Intelligence Division.
Haiichi Yamanaka cleared his throat. "After the Land of Grass war, we've updated our data on the Akatsuki's personnel structure."
He distributed the Intelligence Division's compiled dossiers to the attending leaders.
After handing out the files, Haiichi Yamanaka gave a brief overview. "Currently, the Akatsuki's structure is divided into two parts: one consists of unmasked village defectors, and the other is mysterious shinobi wearing masks to conceal their identities."
The attendees listened to Haiichi's explanation while flipping through the dossiers.
The dossiers were split into two sections.
The first section detailed Akatsuki members who didn't conceal their identities.
Listed from top to bottom were twelve individuals: Nagato with the Rinnegan, Konan, Itachi Uchiha, Juzo Biwa, Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, Sasori, Orochimaru, Raiga Kurosuki, Moryo, and Shinno.
Most of these Akatsuki members were already documented.
This update primarily added Nagato and Konan, and based on survivors' accounts from the war, Nagato, with his Rinnegan, was likely a key figure in the Akatsuki.
The second section focused on the masked Akatsuki members who hid their true identities.
Previously, there were only 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.'
After the Land of Grass war, based on intelligence gathered from the battlefield, this group's numbers had grown to seven, with 'E,' 'F,' and 'G' added to the dossier.
The Akatsuki member wearing an eagle mask was designated 'E' by the Intelligence Division.
Having used the Mangekyo Sharingan dojutsu 'Amaterasu' in battle, 'E' was noted as a 'Mangekyo Uchiha,' with a danger level temporarily set at S-rank.
The member with a snake mask was marked as 'F.'
Having displayed exceptional taijutsu skills and held their own against 'Upper Moon One,' their danger level was also temporarily S-rank.
The member with a blank white mask was labeled 'G.'
Due to no witnessed combat and no significant actions during the meteor confrontation or other battles, there was little intelligence, and their danger level was tentatively set at A-rank.
As the leaders reviewed the dossier, their expressions grew increasingly grave.
Though they had long known the Akatsuki's strength, seeing nearly twenty shadow-level to elite Jonin powerhouses listed on paper sent chills down their spines.
After a long silence, the Third Hokage, who had remained quiet, announced, "The plan to encircle 'Upper Moon' is temporarily suspended."
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged a glance, both sighing.
The Akatsuki's threat was simply too great—so great that the five great shinobi villages dared not divert resources to hunting 'Upper Moon.'
After all, 'Upper Moon's' existence also served as a check on the Akatsuki.
Danzo nodded with satisfaction. "Hiruzen, you've made a wise decision!"
"Meeting adjourned!" The Third waved a hand, then added, "Jiraiya, stay behind!"
Once the others left, the Third asked Jiraiya, "Any news?"
Jiraiya shook his head, his expression dim.
After seeing Nagato and Konan in the Land of Grass, Jiraiya had realized that the Akatsuki, which threatened the entire shinobi world, was likely founded by his former students. He had privately informed the Third and, under his orders, attempted to contact Nagato.
However, all his messages had vanished without a trace!
After a moment's thought, Jiraiya said, "Old man, I want to go to the Land of Rain myself!"