Gyūki


 * Name:
 * Creature Type: Unknown; appears to be a cephalopod
 * Host: An unknown Cloud-nin
 * Unique Traits: Unknown
 * Status: Active, sealed in host

The Eight-Tailed Beast is currently one of the two remaining Tailed Beasts that was not extracted by Akatsuki, while the other one being the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. Due to Akatsuki's depleted numbers, Madara Uchiha ordered Team Hawk to capture the Eight-Tailed Beast. The Jinchūriki is a dark skinned, musclebound Cloud shinobi who appears to dislike light. He also carries seven swords. On his right shoulder, he has a tattoo that says "iron"; and on his left cheek, he has a tattoo of a bull's horn.

Speculation
As most of the other Tailed Beasts seen so far are based upon mythological creatures, it was speculated that the Tailed Beast was based upon the eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon, Yamata no Orochi. But from the shadow when Sasuke goes to retrieve the beast, it seems to be an octopus. Some fans believed that Orochimaru was the Eight-Tailed Beast due to his snake-like abilities, however this was proven false in chapter 408.