10 Chapter 10

In the austere office of the Tsuchikage, where every stone seemed to breathe the solidity and resilience of the Hidden Stone Village, the sound of conversation was muffled but laden with tension. The Tsuchikage, with his short and sturdy stature, was seated behind a stone desk, his face etched with the lines of time and responsibility.

A ninja in the characteristic uniform of Iwagakure stood before him, his posture demonstrating respect and the gravity of the news he brought.

"Are you certain of what you are saying?" questioned the Tsuchikage, his voice rough and deep, as if carved by the very earth he represented.

"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama," the ninja replied, head bowed in deference. "The information comes from reliable sources. The Kyuubi has been spotted outside of Konoha, and apparently, it is not under anyone's control."

The Tsuchikage rested his chin on his hand, his calculative eyes analyzing the implications. "This could destabilize the balance of power among the nations...," he murmured more to himself than to the ninja before him.

He lifted his gaze back to his subordinate. "You are dismissed. I appreciate you bringing this information to me," said the Tsuchikage with a wave of his hand.

The ninja bowed and quickly withdrew from the office, leaving the leader of Iwagakure alone with his strategic thoughts.

The Tsuchikage was not a man to act without due certainty. He picked up a small stone communicator, a special device created by the ninjas of Iwagakure, and spoke in a low but clear voice. "Akatsuchi, I need you to verify something for me."

The response came promptly, the familiar and trustworthy voice of one of his most reliable shinobi echoed from the other side. "I am here, Tsuchikage-sama. What do you need?"

"Rumors about the Kyuubi swirl like storm winds," said the Tsuchikage. "I want you to confirm whether these rumors have any foundation. If it's true, it could change everything."

"Understood, Tsuchikage-sama. I will personally verify and will bring only the truth," Akatsuchi replied, his voice imbued with unwavering determination.

"Quick and discreet. We don't want to alarm the other villages... yet," instructed the Tsuchikage, a strategic glint in his eyes.

"As you wish," Akatsuchi confirmed before ending the communication.

The Tsuchikage remained silent after the communication ended. The news that the Kyuubi, the most powerful of the nine Tailed Beasts, might be wandering freely was disturbing. He knew all too well the chaos such a creature could unleash, having lived through times where such entities were synonymous with destruction and war.

With a furrowed brow, he began to ponder the possible reasons for such an event. Had the village of Konoha lost control over the beast? Or, more worryingly, had something happened to the jinchuuriki containing the Kyuubi?

He leaned back in his chair, allowing the gravity of his thoughts to envelop him like a heavy cloak. "Could the jinchuuriki have died?" he murmured to himself. If the host of the Kyuubi had indeed perished, that would explain why the beast was on the loose. But the implications of such a possibility were profound and unsettling.

The death of a jinchuuriki was always a significant event, not just for the loss of the person, but for the impact it would have on the balance of power among the villages. The Kyuubi was an incredibly powerful force, and if Konoha were to lose it, that could signify a shift in the power dynamics among the Great Ninja Nations. Moreover, there would be the imminent risk of someone trying to capture it for their own nefarious purposes.

He stood up, starting to pace back and forth in his office. "But this is just speculation without concrete information," he thought out loud, aware that he could not afford to jump to conclusions. "Akatsuchi needs to bring back facts, we cannot move based on rumors and fear."

The Tsuchikage paused for a moment, his mind racing to formulate a plan. Then, with a decisive nod, he summoned an aide and ordered them to fetch Rōshi.

It wasn't long before the door to the austere office opened to allow the summoned ninja to enter. Rōshi, the jinchūriki of the Yonbi, the Four-Tails, stepped in. His look was one of curiosity, and his stance relaxed, but there was an intensity in his eyes that denoted his strength.

"Tsuchikage-sama, for what reason have I been called?" Rōshi asked, looking at the leader with a mix of respect and curiosity.

The Tsuchikage looked directly at Rōshi, choosing his words carefully. "Rōshi, due to your... unique connection, are you able to sense the presence of other bijū?"

Rōshi nodded, a spark of interest lighting up his eyes. "Yes, I have this capability, though it's more a matter of affinity than an exact science."

The Tsuchikage then proceeded with a serious tone. "There are rumors that the Kyuubi has been sighted outside of Konoha. I need to know if you can feel her presence."

Rōshi closed his eyes for a moment, as if extending his senses beyond the walls of the office. When he opened them again, there was a glint of recognition in them. "Yes, possibly I can do that."

The leader of Iwagakure let out a heavy sigh, pondering the next part of what he had to say. "If this is true, the presence of the Kyuubi on the loose could be an opportunity for us to increase the power of our village."

Rōshi raised an eyebrow, understanding the implications. "Are you suggesting we capture her?"

"Exactly," confirmed the Tsuchikage, with a gaze as sharp as the cut of a blade. "It could strengthen Iwagakure in ways that not even the other Kages can foresee."

Rōshi chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to contain the echo of distant mountains. "That's quite the mission, Tsuchikage-sama. Capturing the Kyuubi... it might even make me a Tsuchikage, wouldn't it?"

The Tsuchikage allowed himself a brief smile, appreciating Rōshi's willingness and courage. "Let's leave titles aside for now. The most important thing is the safety and power of our village."

"Understood," said Rōshi, with a decisive nod. "You can count on me for this task."