"Want to take our Tailed Beasts? Then prepare to be reduced to dust!"
The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's aged yet forceful vow echoed among Iwagakure's towering tiers of stone.
[Land of Earth · Iwagakure · Core Defense Line]
For Iwagakure, this was destined to be a sleepless night.
As news of Kumogakure's complete surrender and the Raikage's severed arm flew in, the terrifying shadow called "Chiya Uchiha" had utterly engulfed this Shinobi Village renowned for its defenses.
Iwagakure's terrain was easy to defend and hard to attack. Natural rock walls soared into the clouds on every side, leaving only a few narrow canyons as passageways. Once, these natural barriers had been their pride. Today, they had become a cage for a cornered beast.
"Quick! Move faster!"
"Earth Release Team! Seal every entrance! Thicken the walls!"
"Barrier Team! Push the sensory barrier to maximum output! Don't let so much as a fly inside!"
Tens of thousands of Stone Ninja raced frantically through the night. Anxiety and fear covered their faces, and sweat soaked the ninja tools in their hands.
Before the Tsuchikage Building at the very center of the village, two figures stood facing Ōnoki.
One wore red armor and sported a red beard, looking somewhat unkempt. He was the Four-Tails Jinchūriki-Roshi.
The other was tall, clad in red Steam Armor, and wore a mask. Quiet and reserved, he was the Five-Tails Jinchuriki-Han.
"Have you gone senile, old man?"
Stubborn by nature, Roshi had left the village years ago over differences in their beliefs. This time, the Anbu had forcibly "invited" him back.
Pointing at Ōnoki's nose, he snapped, "You called both me and Han back over some Uchiha brat? And you're making preparations like we're facing a mortal enemy? Are you getting more cowardly with age?"
"Shut up, Roshi!"
Ōnoki