The Curse Is Born, the Great Tomb Is Sealed, the Hunt Begins

The Fourth Raikage was still standing.

His entire body remained poised to charge, and his wide, furious eyes were fixed on the invader before him.

He looked so lifelike that no one could believe this commanding figure, who had dominated the Ninja World for years, was dead.

Only when the foot he had thrust forward failed to take another step did the Kumogakure Ninja finally realize that their leader was gone. He had protected them with an iron hand and raised Kumogakure to new heights.

Clang.

Weapons fell to the ground all around. Grief-stricken Kumogakure Ninja abandoned the fight and stumbled toward their leader.

Cries of grief and calls to him rose around Ai like a final hymn, lingering without end.

Whatever atrocities the Fourth Raikage had committed against smaller powers, to the Kumogakure Ninja, he would always be a leader worthy of their respect, loyalty, and devotion!

Many could not bear the truth and fainted from grief.

After all, this was their Lord Raikage!

Their powerful, forceful, fiercely protective Lord Raikage, who could do anything!

The Kumogakure Ninja of this generation had shared one belief: the Fourth Raikage would lead them to the very summit of the world and make Kumogakure the foremost power in Konoha's place!

That belief had given them the confidence to face Konoha with open arrogance and demand that the Hyuga Clan hand over its clan head!

But in this moment, every belief, every source of pride, and every hope shattered.

When the invader had blasted through their gates, they had been horrified, but they had not considered surrender. Lord Raikage was with them. Even if they died, he would avenge them!

When Lord Shi had died and Killer B had proved unable to stop the enemy, they had been shocked and grief-stricken, but they