"This... this is...!"
"The tailed beast has appeared!"
The villagers wandering nearby turned deathly pale the moment they saw Shukaku appear and hurriedly scattered.
"Run! That monster has gone berserk!"
"Where's Lord Kazekage? Come get your son under control and protect our village!"
An office for the senior officials in the Kazekage Building.
The moment Shukaku appeared, the senior officials and advisors swiftly gathered to discuss the best solution and tactics.
"Why has Gaara gone berserk again?"
"I remember Lord Kazekage issued another mission to assassinate Gaara today. That might be what triggered it."
"Where's Rasa? Why hasn't he shown up yet? He's the only one who can settle everything at a time like this."
"Someone just reported to me that a mysterious intruder had infiltrated the village and possessed tremendous destructive power. To avoid letting the village get caught in the fighting, Lord Kazekage is battling him outside the village."
"Absurd! If there's an intruder, let the Jonin handle it. As the village's Kage, how could he take action so casually instead of properly overseeing the overall situation?"
"Send people to support Rasa immediately and tell him to hurry back!"
"Don't worry. I'm sure Rasa will see Shukaku now that he's appeared. Perhaps he's already on his way back. He knows which matter takes priority."
"Send more people to evacuate the villagers, too. Sigh, this incident will probably cost the village another enormous sum. What a headache..."
"For us, already far from wealthy, this is undoubtedly adding insult to injury. In any case, this disaster... is entirely Rasa's responsibility!!!"
"Forget it. A loss is a loss. Lord Kazekage can earn it back anyway."
"Reporting!"
As the senior officials discussed countermeasures and who should bear responsibility, a ninja covered in sand suddenly burst in, a delighted smile still on