"Boom!"
The Raikage punched straight through the floor. Rubble and chunks of concrete fell through the hole into the hall below.
Screams and startled cries rose from downstairs as several huge rocks plummeted toward the nobles and merchants who were still frozen in shock.
Hatake Sakumo darted through the crowd, his silver-white hair gleaming in the candlelight.
His short blade left its sheath. Steel flashed, slicing the huge rocks apart in midair. Fragments scattered everywhere, yet not one struck the crowd. He
landed on the rubble and sheathed his blade. His gaze swept over the shaken faces as he said calmly:
"Please stay calm and remain where you are."
The commotion gradually subsided, but the fear and unease in their eyes refused to fade.
The dust slowly settled. Ōnoki hovered in the air, his hands still poised to unleash Dust Release, though the cube had already dissipated.
He looked at the Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, who was being helped to his feet.
"Mizukage, are you all right?" Ōnoki asked in a low voice.
"We'll have to work together to fight our way out."
"Cough, cough-" Karatachi Yagura coughed several times and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
Two ANBU supported him as his body swayed slightly, but the scarlet glow in his eyes had vanished.
He raised his head and looked over the four Kage present. His voice was weak but clear:
"I'm all right... don't attack... Tsuchikage... I really was... under a genjutsu."
The air in the room froze. Fourth Raikage A was the first to lose his composure, his voice rising in disbelief:
"That's impossible!"
He stared hard at the Mizukage, as though searching his face for some sign of a lie.
Ōnoki slowly lowered his hands, and the glow