Senju Hashirama gradually slowed his pace as he raced forward. Uchiha stood atop the Nine-Tails' head, arms folded as he arrogantly looked down. His Straight-Tomoe Sharingan locked firmly onto Hashirama.
Madara knew there were plenty of little rats secretly watching from around them. Though he was not a sensory ninja, he did not care.
As Hashirama drew closer and closer, an eager, excited look appeared on his face.
He suddenly stepped forward, bent low, and shouted excitedly, "Hashirama!!!"
Once he was close enough, Hashirama stopped on a tree trunk, looked up at Madara, and shouted, "Madara!!!"
The two stared at each other. No words were needed. There was only battle!
But...
Hashirama said in a deep voice, "Madara, this isn't a place to fight. Let's change locations!"
"Hmph!" Madara nodded. "As you wish!"
Hashirama immediately flashed away at high speed, racing in the direction away from the village. Madara stomped his foot, and the Nine-Tails began to run. Beneath its enormous body, the forests along the way bowed down like weeds. The earth trembled beneath its charge, while fierce winds howled and swept through the surroundings.
"They've moved," Mito said.
Yura waved her hand. "Follow them."
The seven immediately flashed away from where they stood and moved along with them.
In the air, Mu sensed the situation. As he formed hand seals, he carried three people and drifted among the clouds.
Elsewhere, Kumogakure's group of seven set off at the same time.
Above Sunagakure, a massive black cloud of Iron Sand surged through the air at high speed.
As every side began moving at top speed, they raced for nearly an hour. During that time, Konoha's many Chunin were the first to fail to keep up with the extreme speed and fell behind. Then came the Jonin, sweating faintly under