A 'hmm' is the only reply to that. "And what happened then?"

"We retreated out of the city. A Konoha team pursued us. Tsubasa and I took it in turns to delay them, with mixed success. The team consisted of the Uchiha, one of her teammates, Uzumaki Mariko, who has extraordinary chakra and at least a secondary sensory-type ability, and Rock Lee, a taijutsu specialist. They also had a cat summon, I'm not sure whose."

"The Uchiha clan are known to have used cats as spies in the last war," the elder comments ofthandedly. "Was the enemy team able to close with Elieyha, then?"

"Eventually, yes. She allowed Shukaku to rebuild his body, but they were able to contain it until it ran out of chakra."

He frowns. "Three mere genin, even with an Uchiha, shouldn't have been able to last that long."

"They were no 'mere' genin. They were able to effectively coordinate under adverse conditions, using each team member's strengths to the fullest. They quickly analyzed my technique, found the weakness, and exploited it with precision."

Hn. "We will want a full report on their capabilities, then, if Konoha has produced another batch of geniuses. Continue."

"While they were occupied with that, Tsubasa and I met back up, and began to head in that direction. En route, we received the message that the main battle was lost and orders to retreat. We rejoined Elieyha after Shukaku had been subdued, and negotiated a truce with the Konoha shinobi."

"Of what sort?"

"That we each would return home, without further fighting."

"Reasonable, given the circumstances," he concedes. "Is there anything else of immediate note?"

"That's everything."

"Has anyone else come back yet?"

"Some of the main forces have, though the wounded are still being moved, and some have stayed behind to guard them, including your sensei. You are dismissed; I want to see a detailed written report on those three's abilities on my desk within the week."

"Yes sir." They decamp from the office.

"That didn't go so badly. Thoughts?"

"It doesn't sound like they're going to ground us."

"There's a manpower shortage. We make ourselves useful to fill it, build connections, reputation, reliability. When the question of what next is asked, we're in a position to provide input, or talk to the people making the decision."

"Subtle."

"While it would be satisfying, drowning the village in sand is unlikely to be a long-term solution."

"You shouldn't joke about that."

"Well, as long as it is a joke..."

"Regardless. Kankurou, I assume you'll be returning to the Puppet Corps?"

"Yeah. There'll be lots to patch up, new puppets to make. They might even pry Granny Chiyo out."

Nod. "Tsubasa?"

"The... general forces, I suppose. Village security."