"The Akatsuki appeared in previous wars. They were active on the battlefield as mercenary."
"At that time, they were mostly hired by Iwagakure."
Organizing his words, Takumi continues, "So I was thinking, maybe they are capturing Tailed Beasts to use as bargaining chips for their demands."
"After all, Kakashi-senpai and Advisor Chiyo should be very clear about the power of Tailed Beasts. On a battlefield, they are unmatched weapons of mass destruction."
His words, while not entirely correct, at least give others a somewhat plausible reason.
And given their experience as mercenary in wars, they are definitely very keen on profiting from war.
Although the Shinobi World seems quite peaceful now,
That's just between the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Wars still frequently break out between smaller countries' villages.
And the reason Takumi gives is not entirely nonsense.
At least, this was the initial reason Pain gave to other Akatsuki's members.
He couldn't possibly tell them the real plan.
For Pain, Akatsuki's members are just tools for capturing Tailed Beasts.
Tools naturally don't deserve to know the entire plan.
Although,
This reason would basically not convince others to be completely loyal to the Akatsuki.
To be honest, each Akatsuki's member joined for their own purposes.
Kakuzu and Hidan are the most simple two.
Kakuzu likes money and also likes managing money.
Hidan likes killing people, and the Akatsuki allows him to kill freely without anyone saying anything.
As long as he shows up for missions.
Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki out of curiosity about Pain's eyes.
Unfortunately, he never had a chance to get close, and finally, after being provoked and defeated by Itachi, he slunk away from the Akatsuki.
Itachi took this opportunity to completely join the Akatsuki, becoming a spy undercover within the organization.
Kisame joined earlier than Itachi.
When Obito controlled the Fourth Mizukage, he recruited Kisame, who had killed Suikazan Fuguki, into the Akatsuki.
And besides Pain, Konan, Black Zetsu, and Itachi, he is the only one who knows Obito's disguised identity.
Of course, what he knows is only Obito disguised as Madara.
In the Akatsuki, the only one who knows Obito's true identity is Black Zetsu.
Deidara joined the Akatsuki to defeat Itachi.
Because before being recruited, he was directly defeated by Itachi without being able to fight back.
As proud as he was, he naturally would not easily give up.
Unfortunately, he never found the right opportunity.
Sasori's purpose for joining is unclear. Perhaps for him, the Akatsuki is just a temporary stopping place.
Having abandoned his flesh, he gained false immortality as a puppet.
Time no longer holds much meaning for him.
If he wanted, he could hide in a corner no one knows and live forever.
But he is not one to be content with loneliness.
Pain and Konan were originally members of the Akatsuki.
Black Zetsu is completely the mastermind behind the scenes. Although on the surface, he is always manipulating everything.
Looking at it this way,
Eliminating Black Zetsu could prevent many tragedies.
And if Kaguya's seal is not released, perhaps the Otsutsuki Clan's members wouldn't find this place either.
Takumi is letting his mind wander again.
The group doesn't chat either.
They've already discussed the necessary intel.
Now they just need to hurry.
The atmosphere becomes somewhat heavy.
Imperceptibly,
The trees gradually become sparse.
A flat plain can be seen ahead, and further in the distance is an endless desert.
They are about to enter the territory of the Land of Wind.
"Let's speed up a bit."
Takumi says, slightly quickening his pace.
The others follow suit.
"Neji, I'm counting on you."
Takumi turns to look at Neji. "No rush yet. Once we receive intel, immediately start searching for their tracks."
"Understood."
Neji nods.
The territory of the Land of Wind is vast. Even if the Byakugan can observe everything within a several-kilometer radius, to scout the entire Land of Wind would take at least a month.
So, they need to wait for Sunagakure's people to pass on intel first, then focus on searching a specific area.
The Sunagakure's Shinobi dare not directly confront Sasori and Deidara.
But they will definitely follow from a distance, tracking their traces.
After all, the person taken is their next Kazekage. They cannot afford to ignore it.
Thinking about it now, Sunagakure is also a bit unlucky.
The Third Kazekage disappeared mysteriously.
This also triggered the trigger for the Third Shinobi World War.
Actually, the Third Kazekage was assassinated by Sasori and made into a human puppet.
The Fourth Kazekage was assassinated by Orochimaru, who then impersonated him, and colluded with the deceived Sunagakure's Shinobi to attack Konoha.
The final result was that Sunagakure lost its Kage and was almost beaten to a pulp by Konoha.
Now,
Their next Kazekage has also been captured.
Three consecutive Kazekages, each more tragic than the last.
None escape death.
Fortunately,
Although Gaara will die, with Chiyo there, he can come back to life.
And if they can arrive in time and disrupt the Akatsuki's plan, maybe Gaara won't even need to die, and Shukaku won't be taken.
Although the hope is slim,
At least there is still hope.
…
Everyone quickens their pace.
During this time, Temari continuously releases signal flares to notify any Sunagakure's Shinobi in the area of their location.
This way, Sunagakure can promptly deliver intel to them.
The sky gradually darkens.
But still no Sunagakure's Shinobi has come to deliver intel.
Everyone's hearts gradually sink.
Everyone knows that every second counts now.
The earlier they find Gaara, the greater his chance of survival.
Conversely, the later they find him, the greater the possibility of his death.
Takumi is okay; he knows that with Chiyo there, even if Gaara dies, he can be revived.
But the anxiety in the others' hearts is visible can be seen.
"Damn it!"
Naruto can't help but yell. "Where the heck are these guys hiding!"
"Naruto, don't shout."
Kakashi says in a low voice. "Don't reveal this kind of impatience."
"Sunagakure's efficiency doesn't seem very good either."
Sasuke says with a disdainful look. "So much time has passed, and still no one has delivered intel."
"Maybe something unexpected happened."
Takumi thinks thoughtfully. "Could they have been discovered and eliminated?"
Everyone's expression changes immediately.
If things are as Takumi says, that would be bad.
If they cannot pinpoint Sasori and Deidara's location to a specific area, even the Byakugan will have a hard time finding the Akatsuki in this desert.
"Let's split up as well. Temari will come with me. Baki-san will go with Kakashi-senpai's team. Advisor Chiyo will go with Guy-senpai's team."
Takumi immediately makes arrangements. "Once someone makes contact with the intel personnel, immediately release a signal flare to notify the others. To distinguish it, make sure to release two signal flares in a row."
"Do we have enough signal flares?"
He turns to look at Temari.
Temari nods. "Enough. I brought a lot of signal flares to rendezvous as quickly as possible."
"Alright then, we'll split up and act, expanding the search area, but don't go too far apart."
Takumi immediately says.