Enemy attack?!
The moment Naruto summoned the Nine-Tails' chakra and manifested six tails, it was as if a hornet's nest had been struck. Instinctively, the guards behind the Mizukage, Tsuchikage, and Raikage all moved at once, stepping forward to shield their respective Kage.
Even Kurotsuchi was no exception. She might love undermining her grandfather, but in a critical moment, she still stood in front of him.
Hmph? That brat's using my chakra for something?
Inside the sealed space, the Nine-Tails lay sprawled on its cushion, snoring loudly. Its ears twitched when it sensed Naruto "borrowing" a tiny fraction of chakra.
It really was just a sliver — to the Nine-Tails' current strength, it was like plucking off a single hair.
Forget it… not worth caring about. Sleep comes first.
Without even opening its eyes, the fox muttered lazily, rolled over, and went right back to sleep.
After all, it had spent the days training with Son Gokū and Kakarot, then nights training with Naruto — an entire year of relentless, high-intensity drills. Now that it finally had a chance to rest, it wasn't about to waste it.
Humans complain about 996?
Hah. I've been on 007 year-round, nonstop.
Only the Kazekage's guards remained at their posts. The other three Kage's guards all drew their weapons and advanced toward Naruto.
Two figures, one black and one white, instantly blocked their path.
Sasuke quietly drew his katana, his body radiating overwhelming pressure. The tomoe of his Sharingan spun wildly. With a single glance, he froze all six guards in place.
It was as if their limbs had been nailed down — no matter how they struggled, they couldn't move.
Binding Illusion!
At Sasuke's current level, even the three-tomoe Sharingan was more than enough to unleash genjutsu of this caliber. It was one of the fruits of his year-long training.
But the ones most shocked were the six elite guards themselves. Each of them was a chosen warrior of their village — yet all six were restrained at once by a single glance.
"Forgive me for intruding," Mifune finally spoke, as if belatedly remembering his role. "This is a place for negotiation, not combat. I ask that everyone show restraint."
Naruto gave a slight shake of his body, and the cloak of the tailed beast immediately receded like a retreating tide.
"Sasuke, Neji, that's enough. Come back."
It was an intentional gesture, giving Mifune face.
At Naruto's words, Sasuke released his genjutsu and returned to his side along with Neji.
To control the Nine-Tails' power with such precision… it seems Konoha's jinchūriki, like Killer B, is a perfect host.
And that last Uchiha brat — the Sharingan's power truly is formidable.
The Fourth Raikage silently nodded at what he had seen, his eyes flickering toward Sasuke.
With strength like this, it's no wonder Danzō dared send these "brats" in his stead.
"I underestimated you. Return, C, Karui."
The Raikage called back his guards, tacitly acknowledging Naruto and the others' strength.
"Since you can represent Konoha, then take your seats."
"That's enough, Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi," Ōnoki said, nodding to his subordinates. Yet even as they returned, his eyes lingered deeply on Sasuke. The boy's brief display had not only suppressed the six guards but also left an impression on the three Kage themselves.
The Nine-Tails' power is as terrifying as expected — even six tails surpasses what Rōshi could manage.
And that Uchiha boy… not simple at all.
Unpleasant memories stirred within Ōnoki as the Sharingan's power rekindled thoughts of someone from long ago.
"Ao, Chōjūrō — stand down." Mei ordered her men back.
Rasa likewise nodded. "Maki, Yūra."
Once the guards had all returned to their places, the Five Kage finally sat properly at the table.
"Now then, we can continue where we left off. Raikage," Rasa said evenly, his eyes on the towering man. "What did you mean when you said this concerned the future of the entire shinobi world?"
"The recent events in Kumogakure should not have escaped your notice," the Raikage began, sweeping his gaze across the assembly. "That's right — our village was attacked by unknown forces. The losses were devastating. Even my personal guard unit was wiped out."
"Raikage, you're not trying to say these mysterious attackers threaten the whole world, are you?" Ōnoki scoffed, his tone full of disdain.
So Cloud got beaten — and that equals a threat to the entire shinobi world? If you want to play global policeman, just say so.
"Ōnoki, don't dismiss my warning so lightly," the Raikage snapped, his expression grave. "You haven't seen those men. You don't understand their power. Even our jōnin couldn't withstand a single round against them."
He let the words hang in the air before dropping the true bombshell.
"And more than that — my brother, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, Killer B, wasn't merely injured. He was taken."
"The Eight-Tails has been captured?!" Rasa exclaimed.
The Eight-Tails was second only to the Nine-Tails among the tailed beasts. Much as he hated to admit it, it was undeniably stronger than the One-Tail. And this host wasn't just any jinchūriki — he was a rumored perfect one.
The difference was immense: ordinary hosts could borrow their beast's power, but a perfect jinchūriki fused human and beast as one, becoming something greater than a tailed beast alone.
"He was taken from inside the village?" Mei asked in shock.
Being ambushed outside was one thing. Being kidnapped within the very heart of Kumogakure was another matter entirely.
It meant the village's defenses had been completely breached.
Even Ōnoki rose from his seat, alarmed.
"Raikage, you can't be serious!"
Though none of the other four villages liked to acknowledge it, before Konoha's collapse during Orochimaru's scheme, Kumogakure had been the strongest of the Five Great Nations overall.
And now, that "strongest village" had been breached. Its jinchūriki stolen.
"Fool! How could I joke about something like this?!" the Raikage thundered, his face heavy with grief and fury. "That village is everything to me — and B is my most precious brother."
"Raikage, do you have intelligence on the enemy?" Mei asked urgently.
If Kumo had fallen to them, then Kirigakure could fall just as easily.
"Of course. They attacked us twice," the Raikage said slowly. "I even crossed blades with one of them personally."
He raised his mechanical arm for them all to see.
"This arm is his handiwork."
"That man possessed a body and strength even greater than mine. His monstrous power made even Tsunade of Konoha's Sannin pale in comparison."
The Raikage's voice deepened to a growl.
"He claimed to be… Uchiha Madara's disciple!"