Kumogakure, Raikage's Tower.
The ground quaked, and the mountains trembled as the Eight-Tails, Gyūki, unleashed its unbridled fury.
Among the Tailed Beasts, this one stood out as a force of sheer dominance.
With its monstrous horns, impossibly thick arms, and eight massive tails, it was the embodiment of raw power and violence—a terrifying creature that seemed born of nightmares.
Within the village, chaos reigned. Screams echoed through the streets as panicked villagers fled their homes, forming a massive tide of humanity surging toward the outskirts.
Abandoned shoes littered the streets, water buckets lay shattered underfoot, and the air was filled with the cries of children, the shouts of adults, and the sobs of women. The scene resembled the aftermath of a natural disaster.
It had all happened too fast.
Far too fast for Ayawai to react, far too fast for any measures to be implemented.
Standing frozen by the floor-to-ceiling window, Ayawai stared at the massive tails coiling around the mountain peak opposite her office.
Then, clarity struck.
Snapping back to her senses, she grabbed Toshi by the collar and roared, her voice sharp and commanding:
"Quick! Organize the villagers for evacuation!"
With those words, she stormed out of the Raikage's office.
*Fight.*
There was no other option. Only by fighting could they protect their home.
The Raikage was far away in the Land of Grass, communications were cut off, and no reinforcements were coming. It was up to them to rally the forces and defend the village.
Her teeth ground audibly as Ayawai sprinted toward the rooftop of the Raikage's Tower, her steps swift and resolute.
Behind her, the Anbu responsible for communication followed closely, their movements silent but purposeful.
There was no need for words. The sight of this graceful yet determined woman said it all—she was the commander of this battle.
Reaching the rooftop, Ayawai looked down at the Eight-Tails, which was perched atop a steep mountain, relentlessly firing Tailed Beast Bombs at the village below.
A fierce aura radiated from her as she spoke, her voice sharp and deliberate:
"Gyūki!"
"Summon all available shinobi immediately! Everyone is to follow my orders!"
"Yes!" The kneeling Anbu responded firmly.
"Activate the emergency protocols and prepare the Storm and Thunder Chains! Have Fukai stand by with the sealing team, ready to deploy the Iron Armor Seal at a moment's notice!"
Her commands were swift and precise, leaving no room for hesitation.
In no time, the chaotic village began to regain some semblance of order.
Shinobi donned their uniforms, armed themselves with ninja tools, and fastened their headbands, ready for battle.
On the streets, panicked villagers gradually regained their composure, organizing their evacuation with the efficiency born of Kumogakure's warrior spirit.
This was Kumogakure, one of the most battle-hardened villages in the shinobi world.
Its people were born with stubbornness, aggression, and courage in their very bones.
Standing atop the Raikage's Tower, Ayawai shed the gentleness she once showed in front of Rinjin. Her entire demeanor radiated cold determination, her delicate brows furrowed, and her presence exuded a deadly resolve.
"Forget the buildings! Bring the Eight-Tails down!"
The Eight-Tails, perched atop the mountain, was like a terrifying turret, firing Tailed Beast Bombs with reckless abandon.
This elevated position gave it a significant advantage.
Even approaching the creature was a task fraught with peril.
There was only one way.
They had to drag the fight to the ground. Only then could they use the Storm and Thunder Chains, severely injure the Eight-Tails, and seal it to save the village.
At this moment, Ayawai's mind was razor-sharp.
"Ninjutsu! Prepare! Bring that mountain down!"
Her voice, restrained with fury, roared from the Raikage's Tower, piercing through the constant rumble of thunder, the explosions of the Tailed Beast Bombs, and the chaotic noise of the villagers. It reached the ears of every shinobi with precision.
"Understood!"
A unified shout echoed from below.
In the next instant, various ninjutsu were unleashed from all directions, targeting the base of the steep mountain.
Lightning crackled, the earth trembled, and flames roared.
The Eight-Tails, perched atop the mountain, let out an earth-shaking roar, its immense presence radiating outward like a tidal wave.
Another Tailed Beast Bomb began to form, its bull-like head aiming at the shinobi below.
Unlike other Tailed Beasts, the Eight-Tails could form Tailed Beast Bombs more quickly and with greater power.
In less than a second, a massive black sphere of destruction shot out.
Below, the shinobi of Kumogakure displayed their skills, using the Body Flicker Technique, taijutsu, and other methods to retreat rapidly.
"Boom!" A deafening explosion erupted, the massive blast wave consuming everything in its path.
Caught in the explosion, countless shinobi who couldn't escape in time vanished like bubbles.
Fortunately, the shinobi of Kumogakure had dispersed their positions, preventing catastrophic losses.
Even so, Ayawai clenched her teeth as she watched, her delicate fists trembling with rage.
However, this attack, despite the casualties, had destroyed the base of the mountain where the Eight-Tails was perched.
The earth trembled, the mountain cracked, and the towering peak began to collapse.
The Eight-Tails roared, flailing its arms in an attempt to grasp onto something.
But there was nothing to hold onto.
Its massive body, carrying immense momentum, crashed heavily to the ground.
"Boom!" The deafening sound reverberated as a powerful shockwave, accompanied by a thick cloud of dust, swept outward, sending countless people flying.
In an instant, a large portion of the village lay in ruins.
Seeing this, Ayawai didn't hesitate. She pushed off with her feet, running down the outer wall of the Raikage's Tower in her high heels, heading straight for the battlefield.
*Command.*
A commander could not lose sight of their opponent.
Even if it meant exposing herself to danger.
Behind her, a dozen Anbu followed closely.
They were her voice, her ears, and her eyes.
As Ayawai descended the mountain, a pair of fiery red eyes suddenly lit up within the thick dust cloud, followed by a terrifying roar.
"Everyone, listen up! Form teams of four! Spread out and engage from a distance!"
Her slightly hoarse but commanding voice rang out once more. An Anbu operative immediately left her side to relay the orders.
In less than a minute, Kumogakure once again demonstrated its efficiency and discipline.
The shinobi quickly formed four-man teams.
Those who had lost teammates seamlessly joined other teams without hesitation.
The battlefield, once chaotic, became organized in an instant.
Sensor shinobi directed the attacks, and a barrage of Wind Release techniques was unleashed.
For a Tailed Beast, with its heightened chakra-sensing abilities, the smoke and dust on the battlefield were a disadvantage to the shinobi. It had to be cleared.
Fierce winds swept through, quickly dispersing the dust cloud over the battlefield.
At the same time, another Tailed Beast Bomb erupted unexpectedly, causing further devastation to Kumogakure.
Seeing this, veins bulged on Ayawai's dust-covered forehead.
"Damn monster! Taijutsu specialists, take the Storm and Thunder Chains and restrain it! Long-range units, use Lightning Release and Storm Release to attack its eyes! Protect the taijutsu team!"
If the Eight-Tails had any other weak points, Ayawai, in her near-explosive state, might have ordered someone to attack it there without hesitation.
The orders were relayed once more.
Blue lightning flashed across the battlefield, striking at the Eight-Tails' eyes with incredible speed.
The Eight-Tails quickly raised an arm to shield its eyes.
Meanwhile, the taijutsu squad carrying the Storm and Thunder Chains charged toward the Eight-Tails with reckless determination.
They had to seize the opportunity bought with their comrades' lives.
Lightning crackled, and storms raged.
Countless shinobi gritted their teeth and roared, creating even the slightest opening for their charging comrades.
The Eight-Tails, sensing their intent, shielded its eyes with one arm while wildly swinging the other, trying to swat away anyone who dared approach.
"Clang..."
The chains rattled as the first Storm and Thunder Chain was thrown, binding the Eight-Tails' wildly swinging arm.
The chain seemed to come alive, crackling with electricity and glowing with a mix of blue and white light.
The Eight-Tails' arm went limp, its immense strength significantly diminished.
Even so, it still managed to fling the shinobi holding the other end of the chain into the air.
Seeing this, everyone's hearts tightened, instinctively worrying for their comrade.
Just then, Ayawai's sharp, commanding voice rang out.
"Seize the opportunity!"
The shinobi snapped back to focus, unleashing a torrent of ninjutsu at the Eight-Tails.
Soon, a second chain was secured around the Eight-Tails.
Then a third...
A fourth...
...
Countless chains flew through the air, binding the Eight-Tails' arms, neck, shoulders, and torso tightly.
Seeing this, Ayawai finally allowed herself a moment of relief.
But a bigger problem remained.
The Eight-Tails' stamina.
This creature's endurance seemed limitless, while the Storm and Thunder Chains had a finite effect.
The shinobi holding the chains were pushing themselves to their limits every second.
At this rate, it wasn't sustainable.
The message had to be delivered to the Raikage.
The Raikage needed to return via the Heavenly Transfer Technique.
Most importantly, the Eight-Tails had to be weakened. Without reducing its strength, resealing it would be nearly impossible.
The Iron Armor Seal was powerful, but it worked best when the Eight-Tails was at its weakest.
Otherwise, if the Eight-Tails broke free, the Jinchūriki would be doomed.
---
On a distant mountain near Fūrai Temple, Rinjin stood against the fierce wind, gazing toward Kumogakure.
Moments ago, an overwhelming surge of chakra had erupted from that direction.
As Rinjin stared into the distance, a crisp, playful voice echoed in his mind.
"Hehe~ The dumb ox has been released too. How interesting! By the way, Rinjin, was it your doing?"
Hearing this, Rinjin nonchalantly picked his nose and shook his head.
"The Eight-Tails wasn't my doing, but the Iwagakure spies were my handiwork."
At this, Matatabi scoffed disdainfully.
"You're so despicable. You've turned the Raikage into a complete fool."
"Eh?" Rinjin feigned indignation. "What do you mean despicable? Everything I've done has been for you!"
Hearing this, Matatabi, hiding within Rinjin's body, shyly covered her face with her furry paws, stammering:
"Wha... What are you talking about? You're just... just lusting after my body, you pervert~"
Rinjin's face darkened instantly.
Though her words weren't entirely wrong, why did they sound so... off?
Was there something wrong with my kitty's brain?