The Perfect Shinobi (Part 3)

Ambush.

The battalion of just over a thousand was returning to the Leaf. They were taking their time due to the injured, but they were still making good progress. It would take around another day to return to the village.

Kakashi was still unconscious in Konan's paper cloud. His injuries were wrapped, and Konan replaced the bandages every few hours, but they needed a medical expert to fully heal him. C was skilled in the medical arts, but he wasn't Tsunade level.

Right now, they were taking down their camp so they could continue their trip. Itachi, Shisui, Konan, and Yugito were standing in the main tent. Kakashi was off to the side, but that's just because Konan was still watching over him.

"We must be wary." Itachi said. "With our current weakness the Akatsuki could attack at any moment."

"And we wouldn't be able to do much about it." Shisui says. "Half our forces are injured, and the other half are exhausted."

"Then what do we do." Yugito asks. "With me here an attack is inevitable."

"We could ask Naruto to escort us back." Konan says.

"We shouldn't. Naruto is defending the village right now." Itachi said. "If he left then the Akatsuki would just change targets, and the most powerful ninja in the Leaf wouldn't be present."

"Damn!" Shisui yells. "We should've predicted the Hidden Frost's defense. If we did then we could have compensated more."

"It wasn't about the defense." Itachi said. "Naruto is testing the Akatsuki. He wants to know how they are playing this war. They had villages bordering each major country in their control. The Frost was bordering the Land of Fire, and the Land of Lightning. The Grass had the Land of Earth. The Waterfall has the Land of Fire, and the Land of Water. And lastly the Rain had the Land of Fire, Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth. They had invasion points across the nation."

"But they didn't use them. Instead, they stayed stationary for months." Shisui said.

"Exactly. Their goal is the Jinchuriki, but Naruto is more powerful than all of their members." Itachi said. "Madara might be stronger, but he is still an unknown factor."

"The Akatsuki isn't going to capture him easily." Yugito says.

"Yes, and they need to capture him if they want their goal to be achieved. It is easier if they capture the hardest Jinchuriki first and get the scraps later." Itachi says. "No offense." He says towards Yugito.

"None taken. Naruto's power is scary." Yugito says.

"Well, what do you think Naruto is testing?" Konan asks.

"If the Akatsuki is making things personal with him." Itachi said.

Shisui nods in understanding. "His three best friends left the village. They might try to lure him in by killing us."

"What about me though? I am a Jinchuriki, and they are still trying to capture me." Yugito says.

"That's where the test comes in play. Naruto is trying to see if the Akatsuki prioritizes the Jinchuriki, or if Madara is more interested in him." Itachi says.

"If your right about all of this then why would Naruto not tell you." Yugito says.

"Because it is an underhanded plan." Konan says. "Most likely some of the Kage would not agree with it, so if the Commanders of the mission didn't know about it then it was never on record as a real plan."