Fanatical Ghostly Utterances

"Your Highness, Passageway 128 has been completely destroyed. No further detection is possible." A ninja operated the instrument before him while forming hand seals. After using a special ninjutsu to sense the area, he reported.

"Lady Akabane Koromo has already engaged another enemy. The battle is fierce. The last enemy has been lured into a side passage of the maze and won't be able to get out anytime soon."

A stream of intelligence reached Hyuga Tamamo's ears. She analyzed it calmly. "Ignore Passageway 128. How many elite fighters can we still deploy? Send them to help Akabane Koromo deal with her opponent first."

At her command, people swiftly sprang into action.

But at that moment, a thunderous boom came from the sky, followed by violent tremors that shook the entire base.

"What happened?"

"What's going on?"

Several ninjas shouted frantically as a few Uchiha ninjas wearing cat-face masks rushed to Hyuga Tamamo's side and shielded her.

Hyuga Tamamo looked up, narrowing her eyes. "Byakugan!"

Veins bulged around her eyes as the Byakugan's penetrating vision activated, taking in everything above them. "That is—?" What she saw startled her. Without time to explain, she shouted, "Everyone, evacuate immediately! Hurry!"

"It's too late." One of the masked Uchiha elites said, drawing the long sword from his back. Moments later, the other ninjas drew their blades as well.

Boom!

A blazing white beam crashed down in an instant, tearing a breach through the steel ceiling and piercing through the floor beneath their feet, shooting off to some unknown destination.

The aftermath swept through the room. Rubble fell, smoke and dust billowed, and a figure rose from the center of the haze. Fierce light gleamed in his pure white eyes. His ancient robe was riddled with tears, as though he had endured a tremendous impact.