Inside Kumogakure.
Rumble!
A deafening roar suddenly rang out, and the village's bustling streets fell silent in an instant.
When people turned toward the source of the noise, their faces changed in horror.
"Over there?!"
"What happened?!"
"Is that the Eight-Tails? Did it break free?"
"Where's Killer B? Where did Killer B go? Isn't the Eight-Tails inside him?"
Billowing dust, exploding searing flames, and the shockwave sweeping over their heads filled everyone present with terror.
"No, the Eight-Tails seems to be fighting someone!"
"Who are those people?"
Soon, others spotted River's group subduing and sealing the Eight-Tails, and their expressions changed again.
Screee!
A shrill warning whistle sounded just then, tearing through the air and reaching everyone's ears.
Almost instantly, the people in the streets saw countless fully equipped figures appear on the rooftops on either side and in the trees.
"Something terrible has happened!"
The hearts of Kumogakure's villagers sank.
Those who had suddenly appeared were all Cloud Ninja. Such a swift response, with so many mobilized, was almost unprecedented.
At the same time, inside the Raikage's building.
Fourth Raikage A emerged from the building wearing a bamboo hat, his expression grave, with a group of Jōnin at his side.
"Someone has attacked the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki!"
"Who would dare?!"
Fourth Raikage A raised his head and looked ahead, his expression turning utterly grim.
He could clearly see the golden chains wound around the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, each radiating a dazzling light.
The squad now gathered together also came into view. Clad in black robes patterned with red clouds, they looked mysterious and unsettling.
"Pass down the order! We must capture every last one of them!"
"If we let them escape, Kumogakure will become the laughingstock of the entire shinobi world from this day forward!"
A roared.
"Yes!"
The shinobi beside