Just then, the ninja appeared at the office door like a ghost.
His figure flashed through the previously quiet air like lightning, abruptly shattering the room's subdued atmosphere.
In an instant, every gaze focused on this uninvited visitor as though under a spotlight. He became the center of attention.
Yet the looks people gave him differed greatly. Some revealed urgency and concern, desperate to learn more from this ninja.
Others, already exhausted beyond measure, gritted their teeth as they looked at him, seeming thoroughly irritated by the new development about to unfold.
Under so many watchful eyes, the ninja seemed somewhat uneasy and began to stammer.
At last, after taking a deep breath, he spoke. "An... an urgent report has come from the front lines. We... we may have discovered the Jin... Jinchuriki's whereabouts!"
Those words were like a pebble dropped into a still lake, stirring up towering waves.
In an instant, the entire office erupted. Emotions surged like a tide, and voices broke out one after another.
Some were horrified, some looked stunned, while others sank into thought.
The once quiet and peaceful office suddenly became loud and chaotic, its atmosphere tense to the extreme.
Jinchuriki was the special term for people who had Tailed Beasts sealed inside their bodies through special sealing techniques.
They possessed enormous amounts of chakra and could attempt to communicate with their Tailed Beasts, thereby becoming perfect Jinchuriki.
Most importantly, every Tailed Beast could use a large-scale destructive ninjutsu—the Tailed Beast Ball.
To other, ordinary ninja, it was a devastating blow.
For that very reason, any news of a Jinchuriki appearing on the battlefield was vital intelligence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to break free from the initial shock and began asking for details.
"Don't panic. Slowly tell us everything you know."
"You can