"What exactly are these 'tailed beasts'? I overheard some speculation that I might be one. I do not think you will want to employ me in any purely diplomatic capacity, my patience for such foolishness is quite limited."

"They're usually held to be monsters, made of pure chakra and possibly manifested hatred. But I've spoken to two of them, and they have memories, and can hold grudges, and can be fond of things like 'boasting' or 'alcohol,' which indicates more sapience and free will than is usually ascribed to them. I figure at least one must have a sense of self-preservation."

"There's nine tailed beasts, with one through nine tails, increasing in power with the number of tails. They're enormous in their true forms, ranging from twice as tall as a horse to capable of clearing mountains with a single leap. They take animal-like forms - a tanuki, a cat, a turtle, a monkey, a dolphin-horse, a slug, a beetle, an ox, and a fox, in order from least to greatest. They've attacked settlements before, but my predecessor found some documents indicating humans might have been the ones who started those conflicts, even if indirectly."

"Which ones have you talked with?"

"Shukaku, the one tailed tanuki - though that was during a fight against him and his then host - and the nine tailed fox. I don't know the fox's name. Currently, most of the tailed beasts are trapped in hosts, and have been for the last few decades, which makes it easier for Hidden Villages to wield them."

"And for Akatsuki to collect, presumably."

"That does seem to be a side-effect, yes."

"What form does the possession take? Is it willing?"

"The tailed beasts haven't consented once that I've heard. Hosts are usually selected as infants, less commonly as young children - less chance that their chakra system will reject the intrusion. Hosts can siphon power from their prisoner, with how safely or efficiently varying with seal design."

"I don't think I approve of this system."

"It's stupid, unnecessary, and backfires a lot. Which is why I'd wanted to negotiate with one of the tailed beasts - likely the three-tailed turtle, who is currently unsealed."

"Perhaps it would respond better to one closer to its own nature. And size."

"Might take that as threatening. Or interesting enough to not immediately attack; the turtle likely finds humans plenty threatening already. Worth trying, though, and your aid would remove several logistical difficulties. I would still want at least some shinobi to accompany you most of the way. A sensor at a minimum, and preferably someone with combat capabilities in case of an encounter with hostile forces."

"Were you thinking of doing this soon?"

"It'd be best to move quickly, yes, given Akatsuki's unknown time-table."

"I am amenable, but I need to know more about what exactly you want from the turtle or want to offer it. And I want to meet those you would send with me."

"The sensor you've run into. Karin, a red-head with glasses, in Rakushou. She's our best tracker, and knows the signatures of all identified Akatsuki members. The support will depend on who's available - likely myself or Suigetsu, a swordsman; other jounin are available, but I'd prefer to send more than one of the less skilled fighters. I would prefer to go myself, assuming no issues arise here, for assorted reasons including simplifying negotiations, that I have a flying summons of my own, and that I'm our most capable shinobi in direct and open combat."

"What I want from the turtle is for him to relocate to the waters to our direct north, and to accept observation by my forces, and a line of communication. Ideally, I would like a mutual defense pact, or even an outright alliance, but I'm willing to negotiate down to 'we will protect him from attempts to seal or trap him, and he will be non-aggressive towards us and authorized ships.' An alliance would probably consist of us treating him as an independent contractor, and offering him compensation in return for missions - probably defending nearby shipping lanes from sea monsters and pirates. I'm not clear on what compensation a turtle made of chakra could possibly want, so I can't outline ahead of time what exactly I can offer."

"I see. That sounds unobjectionable."

He sort of half grins. "You haven't met Suigetsu yet. He's annoying. But I'll aim for sending myself."

An expression, how novel.

"Are there any other imminently pressing issues?"

"Not presently. How soon would you be willing to move on the three tails? The soonest I could leave is this afternoon, though a longer delay would allow me to more thoroughly arrange matters to operate smoothly in my absence. Three days from now is preferable for me."

"My schedule is open at present. If you wish to delay more than a day, I will retire to my lair and return."

"We don't have word of Akatsuki presently moving, so yes, I would prefer a delay. Three days from now, morning, with a planned departure before noon."

"Understood. I will see you then."

She takes her leave with a minimum of fuss and heads home. She doesn't have time for much in the way of housekeeping beyond refreshing wards, but she does begin poking at the rock below, starting to make it pliable in preparation for future expansion.

She gets back to Sasuke's base soon after the sun rises on the third day.

He saddles one of his guards with running the village. She watches him do paperwork often enough, and is one of the few who came out of Orochimaru's regime without anyone holding strong grudges against her. She is not particularly impressed.

Finding someone else to make sure Itachi neither starves nor escapes is a bit more of a pain, since he's taking Karin with him. Possibly illicit or at least hypocritically held captives are a headache, who knew. Still, Karin has those she recommends, primarily healers with enough discretion and loose enough morals. Which is all of them except the trainees and a tiny handful of recent arrivals. He picks someone with the talent to simply keep his sister unconscious safely, and then turns his attention to making sure no one sets his village on fire while he's gone.

He will be sorely disappointed if they can't survive a few days without him, but life is full of disappointments.

Still, Sasuke's ready for Ellisaria outside the main entrance, Karin and Juugo with him.

He nods to Ellisaria when she arrives, and says, "This is Karin, and this is Juugo. Juugo is strong, but has a condition reducing his ability to consistently control his actions, which I can keep in check better than our other available options, so I made the call to bring him." And taking Juugo gets the captain of his guard slightly less annoyed with him over this.

Juugo bows shallowly, right on cue, and seems mostly quiet and withdrawn.