The group walked back to the village, chatting and laughing.
Jiraiya was still savoring the battle, muttering, "That Naruto kid threw that punch at one hell of an angle."
Orochimaru walked beside him, still regretting the vial of blood he had failed to collect. Every so often, he glanced back at Kaguya, only for Black Zetsu to glare viciously at him.
Kakashi and Guy walked shoulder to shoulder, one silent and the other chattering nonstop. Somehow, they made it work.
Minato had his arm around Kushina's shoulders as they walked at the rear. Kushina was still talking about the kick that had sent Naruto flying, her brow furrowed with concern.
The gates of Konoha.
The two Chunin on guard saw the large group approaching and quickly stood at attention to salute.
Then they spotted another group.
A crowd was slowly approaching along the main road leading to the village entrance.
"Walking" was not quite the right word. Their steps were stiff and mechanical, like marionettes, every stride following an eerie rhythm.
Their eyes were gray, their pupils unfocused. Drool hung from the corners of their mouths, and their faces were utterly expressionless.
They wore all sorts of clothing: civilians' short jackets, ninja flak jackets, and a few even wore forehead protectors from other villages.
But they all shared one trait.
The Uchiha and Hyuga gate guards activated their kekkei genkai almost simultaneously.
The Byakugan saw through their clothing to the chakra inside their bodies. It churned wildly like boiling water, dangerously unstable.
"Lord Hokage!"
The Hyuga clansman turned and shouted to Tsunade, his voice cracking.
"The chakra inside them is extremely unstable! This is bad-they're about to explode!"
He whipped his head toward the Konoha Gate and shouted.
"Get away from them! Now!"
The two Chunin guarding the gate reacted