High above Earth, orbiting silently in space, the Justice League Watchtower rotated slowly against the stars.
Inside one of its main briefing chambers, the greatest heroes on the planet sat around a circular table.
The atmosphere was unusually tense.
This meeting had not happened immediately after the battle in Metropolis.
It had taken several days.
Several days to safely remove the kryptonite shards embedded in Superman's chest.
Several days for advanced medical technology and Kryptonian biology to repair the damage.
And several days to treat the poison that had nearly killed both Wonder Woman and Batman.
Even now, faint scars still remained.
Which was exactly why this meeting was happening.
Batman stood near the central display screen, arms crossed beneath his cape.
The holographic projector activated.
The symbol of a red cloud appeared above the table.
"This organization calls itself the Akatsuki," Batman began.
Superman leaned forward slightly in his seat.
His expression was serious.
"That puppet user in Metropolis… he was one of them?"
Batman nodded.
"Yes."
The hologram shifted.
An image of Sasori appeared.
Red hair.
Red cloud cloak.
Cold eyes.
"Codename unknown," Batman said. "But he's a puppet master capable of controlling multiple combat constructs simultaneously."
The hologram displayed footage from the battle.
Puppets attacking.
Blades flashing.
Superman collapsing as kryptonite pierced his chest.
"He integrated kryptonite into his weapons," Batman continued.
"Which means he had outside assistance."
Everyone in the room knew exactly who that meant.
"Lex Luthor," Wonder Woman said calmly.
Batman nodded.
"That's the most likely source."
The hologram changed again.
Now showing Kakuzu.
The footage from Gotham played briefly.
Robin being thrown across a room.
Batman blocking strikes.
Wind tearing apart the interior of the building.
"This one calls himself Kakuzu," Batman said.
"A mercenary hired by Black Mask."
Green Lantern raised an eyebrow.
"That guy fought you?"
"Yes."
"And?"
Batman didn't hesitate.
"He's extremely dangerous."
That alone was enough to make the room quiet.
Batman rarely admitted something like that.
"He possesses superhuman physical strength, enhanced speed, advanced martial arts training, and the ability to manipulate the wind element."
Flash leaned back slightly in his chair.
"So… ninja stuff?"
Batman ignored the comment.
The hologram shifted again.
Now showing the footage from the Iceberg Lounge massacre.
The orange-haired figure walked calmly through the destroyed nightclub.
Black rods.
Purple ripple-pattern eyes.
Bodies scattered everywhere.
"This individual is the first Akatsuki member I encountered," Batman said.
"I don't know his name."
The hologram zoomed in on the eyes.
"But these eyes are unique."
Martian Manhunter studied the image carefully.
"They resemble no known human mutation."
Batman continued.
"He can manipulate gravity, repel attacks, generate massive destructive force, create black weapons from unknown material…"
The footage showed the moment the entire room was blasted apart.
"And he appears capable of teleportation or spatial movement."
The room fell silent again.
Three extremely dangerous individuals.
And that was only the beginning.
Batman changed the display once more.
Now showing a strange pale creature emerging from the ground during the Metropolis battle.
"This entity appeared during the fight with Sasori."
The footage replayed the moment the White Zetsu clone surfaced.
"It delivered a message and ordered Sasori to retreat."
Aquaman leaned forward slightly.
"That thing came out of the ground."
"Yes."
Batman nodded.
"We don't know what it is. Possibly a meta-human or some form of biological construct."
The hologram froze on the image.
"We currently know of three confirmed members."
Sasori.
Kakuzu.
And the orange-haired man.
Batman looked around the table.
"But there are likely more."
Superman finally spoke again.
"How many?"
Batman shook his head.
"We don't know."
Green Lantern sighed.
"That's comforting."
Batman tapped the console.
New text appeared beside the symbol.
Organization Name: Akatsuki
Origin: Unknown
Member Count: Unknown
Objectives: Unknown
Flash rubbed the back of his neck.
"So basically… we know nothing."
"That's correct," Batman said.
Martian Manhunter spoke next.
"Yet one member nearly killed Superman."
Superman nodded slowly.
"And another defeated Batman."
Batman didn't deny it.
"And their puppet user nearly poisoned two of us to death," Wonder Woman added.
The room became quiet again.
Batman spoke once more.
"If the Akatsuki are a small group, we can manage them."
He paused briefly.
"But if there are many members…"
His voice became slightly more serious.
"…then they could become a global-level threat."
Green Lantern crossed his arms.
"So what's the plan?"
Batman looked up at the red cloud symbol.
"We gather information."
"That's it?"
"For now."
He tapped the console again.
The hologram switched to a planetary satellite map.
"I've already begun global surveillance operations searching for any trace of them."
Superman stood up slowly.
"If they attack again…"
Batman's eyes hardened slightly.
"Then we'll be ready."
But deep down, even Batman knew the truth.
They were hunting shadows.
And somewhere far away, hidden deep within a mountain in the middle of a rainforest—
The Akatsuki were growing stronger every day.