Three thousand people shouted in unison, their voices ringing loud enough to pierce the clouds. A layer of dark cloud seemed to hang over Konoha's skies.
"Move out!!"
Leaping onto the Nine-Tails' head, Ronglin waved a hand and announced their departure. Three thousand people followed the Nine-Tails as it rapidly left the village, charging toward the border. For this great battle, White Fang remained in the village, while Tsunade accompanied Ronglin to the front lines.
Aside from that, among the few people around Ronglin, only Uchiha Diqin stayed behind.
Whether it was Kisame Hoshigaki, Shisui, Mei Terumi, or even Itachi, all of them moved out with Ronglin.
Itachi was too young, and his strength was lacking, so Ronglin did not expect him to do much. He only hoped the war would let Itachi experience more things and mature early. Though Itachi was not that kind of personality, Ronglin did not want to raise him like a flower in a greenhouse.
The three-thousand-strong ninja army moved out together, an exceptionally shocking sight—especially with the terrifying tailed beast at the very front of the formation, the Nine-Tails leading the way.
"Ay... I hope that when you start this war, you've also thought about how you'll satisfy me after your defeat. I, Uchiha Ronglin, am not so easily dismissed."
On the Nine-Tails' head, Ronglin looked at the sky and smiled coldly. Aside from him, everyone else followed behind. Tsunade was especially displeased about this, but the Nine-Tails refused to let anyone else onto its body. Helpless, the others could only run along behind it. At that moment, countless people looked at Ronglin's back, their eyes filled with envy.
This was the Nine-Tails, the strongest of all the tailed beasts. Yet before Lord Hokage, it was as obedient as a little kitten, perfectly well-behaved.