A net to surround and capture the Four-Tails had quietly begun to take shape. Once the time was right, Kawaki Aoba would be able to lead the beast straight into it.
Konoha might have struggled against a full-strength Nine-Tails, but taking down the Four-Tails would be no difficult feat if they were properly prepared.
In a valley where Konoha's forces were setting up the trap, Torifu Akimichi, who had temporarily taken command, listened to the distant rumbling caused by the Four-Tails and couldn't help reflecting aloud.
"If I remember correctly, that kid's only fourteen. To be able to do this much already... He'll surely grow into another powerhouse capable of supporting all of Konoha.
"You've taken on a fine student, Shinku."
Yuhi Shinku walked slightly behind Torifu, like a student following his teacher.
"Yes. Having such an outstanding student as Aoba is my good fortune." Yuhi Shinku never acted modest when praising Kawaki Aoba.
"And as I said before, Aoba has a wide-range sensory ability. He must know what we're doing. Doesn't his response now prove that?"
Torifu smiled without answering, but inwardly, he agreed.
Setting an ambush in a fixed location could greatly reduce casualties.
As they walked, Torifu calculated how much time they had left. As if something had just occurred to him, he abruptly gave an order. "Tell those people to hurry up. We may not have much time left."
Yuhi Shinku didn't know what Torifu meant by saying they were running out of time, but he respectfully acknowledged the order and left.
Torifu was left alone, gazing into the distance toward the Land of Earth.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence, but at that very moment, on the border of the Land of Earth, Tsuchikage Ōnoki was personally leading people toward the same area where the