Chapter 175: The City in Shock
Toukuma, who had been gazing idly at the sky, suddenly cried out in alarm.
"Look up—what is that!?"
Everyone's first thought was the same:
Did the master of that giant bird bring reinforcements?
They turned toward the horizon—
and froze.
"What… what is that thing!?" Kujaku stammered in disbelief.
Even the enormous bird perched atop the tower—already the size of a small fortress—was utterly dwarfed by what approached from afar.
This new figure was colossal, a crimson giant that blotted out the sun itself. Its sheer scale made the bird look like a sparrow beside a dragon.
And the giant… had wings.
It wasn't just large — it flew.
"Impossible," murmured Kazuma, his pupils trembling. "When did such a monster exist in the Shinobi World?"
Before they could even process what they were seeing, the crimson giant crossed the skies in a blink, its speed defying all logic.
In an instant, it loomed above the Capital of the Land of Fire, its shadow engulfing two-thirds of the city below.
The citizens panicked.
Terrified cries echoed through the streets. Some clutched their children and fled; others stood rooted in place, staring upward in mute horror at the mountain-sized being hanging in the sky.
Within the Daimyō's Residence, the Guardian Twelve moved into action.
The conservative faction, led by Chiriku and Nauma, rushed to protect the Daimyō, while the Lightning Release Four, led by Kazuma, stood guard along the outer walls.
Even the most battle-hardened among them felt a chill of dread.
The giant's overwhelming presence crushed their spirits before it even made a move.
If this being was an enemy, they knew—no amount of ninjutsu could save them.
---
Meanwhile, atop the high tower, Nagato's true body sat quietly in the shadows, Konan standing beside him.
Outside, the Six Paths of Pain stood atop the massive black bird — Yatagarasu — watching the chaos unfold below.
"Konan," Nagato said, his voice weak but his eyes burning with fervor, "you were right. These Konoha shinobi came to protect the Daimyō. Staying here truly is like waiting for prey to walk into our trap."
Konan smiled faintly. "It was just a guess. But now… all we have to do is wait and strike, right?"
Even as she spoke, her gaze lingered on the sky.
The last time she had been this shaken was when Nagato had summoned the Gedo Statue—but even that monstrous entity paled before the being now hovering above the capital.
Majestic, towering, and wrapped in divine crimson light—this was no ordinary power.
Nagato nodded, his expression calm, resolute.
"Indeed. No matter what that thing is, before my Rinnegan, it will fall like everything else."
He believed it absolutely.
His Six Paths of Pain were invincible—his will made flesh.
---
Far below, Uchiha Fugaku, encased within his Complete Body Susanoo, descended slowly through the clouds.
From the ground, it looked as though a god of destruction had descended upon the world.
The air itself trembled with each beat of Susanoo's glowing wings.
Then, as the people stared upward in awe, they saw something else — something chained beneath the giant's feet.
"That… what is that thing!?"
"It's horrifying!"
The citizens screamed as they saw the massive, writhing creature dangling below the red titan.
But the Guardian Twelve recognized it instantly.
"Th-That's… that's the Eight-Tails!" Kujaku cried, his voice trembling. "Why is the Eight-Tails here!?"
He turned toward Kazuma, panic flooding his face. "This can't be real!"
Kazuma's expression darkened.
"The Eight-Tails is chained to the giant — meaning they're allies. And if that's the case…"
His mind raced. "Wasn't there a rumor recently? That the new Hokage of Konoha destroyed the Hidden Cloud Village by summoning a red giant?"
At that, Kaidō shouted, "Exactly! I told you before! Everyone said it was nonsense—but look! It's real!"
Their blood ran cold.
The terrifying rumor—the one they had dismissed as mere exaggeration—now unfolded before their very eyes.
As Susanoo descended, the Eight-Tails released its grip, crashing down outside the city.
BOOM!
The earth shook violently.
Citizens fell to their knees as the tremor rippled through the streets.
A second impact followed—the crimson giant landing gracefully, though even its controlled descent made the earth groan beneath its weight.
The towering being bent forward, one massive hand touching the ground, and from its open palm emerged several figures—Konoha shinobi, descending one after another.
Finally, the giant's chakra shell began to dissolve—its radiant armor crumbling into motes of crimson light that drifted through the twilight sky like falling stars.
It was breathtaking.
The entire city fell into stunned silence.
No one spoke. No one dared move.
Only the faint hum of dispersing chakra filled the air.
When it became clear the giant wasn't attacking, people began to breathe again—slowly, shakily.
Some wept. Some prayed. Others simply stared upward, hearts pounding uncontrollably.
Then the realization struck them once more—
outside the city walls, still crouched and motionless yet terrifying beyond measure, was the Eight-Tails.
Shouts erupted among the terrified citizens.
"What are the guards doing!? Why hasn't anyone gone to check!?"
"They're quick to collect taxes, but when there's danger, they hide like rats!"
But even as the complaints spread, the guards stationed near the outer walls stood frozen in place—
eyes wide, hands trembling.
They weren't ignoring the people.
They were simply too afraid to move.
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