The temperature soared wildly.
The ground collapsed downward, and atop the glassy stratum scorched by lava stood a colossal creature.
It was larger than Amegakure's towers, its dark crimson fur resembling dried bloodstains—or magma surging beneath the surface.
Four massive tails, covered in countless volcano-like vents, swept behind it and released heat without restraint.
Its complete form...
The Four-Tails had appeared!!
ROAR!!!!!!!!
Its furious roar shook the heavens, and the vast earth trembled without end. Countless shinobi stopped moving, mouths hanging open, unable to speak as though an invisible hand had seized their throats.
Ibuse, Manda... no Summoning Beast could compare to this overwhelming pressure!
This was a Tailed Beast!!
"Not good!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted slightly. Raising a hand, he shouted, "Konoha shinobi, withdraw from the battlefield immediately!"
What came next was no longer a battle humans could take part in!
Ōnoki was likewise ordering the Iwagakure shinobi to retreat. Without special means, even jonin were no different from ordinary people when facing a Tailed Beast.
"Roshi..."
Han's death pained him deeply, but Roshi...
Ōnoki suppressed his anger. As the Tsuchikage, he had to make the choice most beneficial to Iwagakure's future.
"It's over!!"
"I'm willing to sign a peace treaty, as long as all of you withdraw now! I guarantee it in the name of Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage!!"
"The war is over! You've won!!"
There was still time. Roshi had only just gone berserk; if the Four-Tails was sealed again quickly enough, they could still preserve this jinchuriki!
Those capable of serving as Tailed Beast vessels were, in some respects, even more important than the Tailed Beasts themselves. They absolutely could not suffer another loss.
Kamizuki stood atop a burning giant tree, his scarlet Sharingan meeting the Four-Tails' enormous eyes. Hearing Ōnoki's words, he turned to Sarutobi