High above the Earth, the Watchtower floated silently in orbit.
Inside its main conference chamber, the Justice League had gathered once again.
The room was dim, illuminated by a massive holographic display in the center of the table. Streams of information, surveillance footage, and intelligence reports rotated slowly in midair.
The topic was the same as the last meeting.
The Akatsuki.
But this time, the conversation carried more weight.
Because now they had information.
Not much.
But enough to begin forming a picture.
Batman stood at the head of the table.
His cape hung motionless behind him as he activated another holographic projection.
Images appeared.
Three figures.
Sasori.
Itachi.
Kisame.
"These are confirmed members of the organization," Batman began.
"Based on witness testimony, recovered footage, and our own encounters."
Superman sat with his arms crossed, watching the images carefully. The scar from where the kryptonite had pierced him had already healed, but the memory of the fight remained fresh.
"That puppet user nearly killed me," Superman said calmly.
"Which means we can't underestimate any of them."
Batman nodded.
"That individual is designated Sasori."
Footage played of the battle in Metropolis.
Puppets moving through the battlefield.
Hidden weapons.
Kryptonite fragments.
Poison attacks.
Wonder Woman leaned forward slightly.
"His combat style relied heavily on preparation and traps."
"Yes," Batman replied. "But his reaction speed and control precision suggest high-level combat training."
Another image appeared.
Itachi.
Red eyes glowing.
Genjutsu activating.
Green Arrow collapsing under the illusion.
Flash rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah… that guy is a problem."
He pointed at the hologram.
"Every time I got close, something weird happened in my head. Like my brain lagged for a second."
Batman zoomed the image closer.
"Psychological manipulation techniques. Likely neurological interference."
Martian Manhunter spoke quietly.
"Not exactly."
Everyone looked toward him.
"What he used was closer to advanced illusion casting. It affects perception rather than physical brain chemistry."
Batman nodded slightly.
"That aligns with the field observations."
Another clip played.
Itachi standing calmly as multiple attacks approached.
Precise movements.
Minimal wasted motion.
"He's extremely dangerous," Batman continued. "Possibly the most dangerous member we've encountered so far."
The display shifted again.
Kisame appeared.
Massive blade.
Ocean-sized water attacks.
Clashes with Superman.
Green Lantern constructs shattering under water pressure.
Aquaman, who had joined the meeting remotely, spoke through the hologram.
"That one concerns me."
Everyone turned to him.
"He manipulated enough water to flood several city blocks."
Aquaman folded his arms.
"That level of control isn't normal."
Batman zoomed in on Samehada.
"And the sword absorbs energy."
Superman nodded.
"I felt it. The moment it touched me, something was pulling energy away."
Batman concluded the analysis.
"Which means direct physical combat with him becomes progressively more dangerous."
The room fell quiet for a moment.
Flash broke the silence.
"So… three members we know about."
Batman shook his head.
"No."
The screen expanded again.
Nine empty silhouettes appeared beside the three known members.
"This organization likely contains at least nine core operatives."
Wonder Woman raised an eyebrow.
"Why nine?"
"Every recovered image shows them wearing rings."
The hologram zoomed in on the Akatsuki rings.
"Each ring appears unique."
Martian Manhunter nodded.
"A hierarchical structure."
"Exactly," Batman replied.
"Which means we've likely only encountered a fraction of their total power."
Another image appeared.
White Zetsu.
The strange creature emerging from the ground during Sasori's retreat.
Flash pointed at it.
"That thing was creepy."
Batman nodded.
"We believe it's some form of biological reconnaissance unit."
Superman frowned.
"It came out of the ground."
"Yes."
Batman zoomed the image again.
"Which suggests underground mobility."
Martian Manhunter added quietly:
"Or infiltration capability."
That realization made the room slightly more tense.
Wonder Woman leaned back in her chair.
"So what do they want?"
Batman paused.
"That's the problem."
He brought up a final screen.
Every known Akatsuki encounter appeared across the globe.
Assassinations.
Mercenary contracts.
Targeted battles.
None of it formed a clear pattern.
"They don't appear to be pursuing random destruction."
Superman spoke.
"They're organized."
"Highly organized," Batman corrected.
"And they're selective about their operations."
Flash leaned forward.
"So… professionals."
"Yes."
Batman crossed his arms.
"A mercenary organization composed entirely of superhuman combatants."
Green Lantern whistled quietly.
"That's not good."
Superman looked around the table.
"What's their endgame?"
Batman answered honestly.
"We don't know."
The room fell silent again.
Because that uncertainty was the most dangerous part.
An enemy whose goal you couldn't predict was always harder to stop.
Batman shut down the hologram.
"But one thing is clear."
Everyone waited.
"They're growing."
Another image appeared.
New sightings.
New contracts.
More rumors spreading across criminal networks.
"The Akatsuki are becoming known."
Superman looked out the Watchtower window toward Earth.
"Then we find them before they become unstoppable."
Batman didn't reply immediately.
But in his mind, one thought had already formed.
If the members they had encountered were only the beginning…
Then the real leader of the Akatsuki might be far more dangerous than any of them.