The script had been finalized, the grand curtain had already risen, and all the actors on stage were in position.
Rikusei, advancing against the wind, knew very well why Hashirama and Tobirama had released the Tailed Beasts into the dense forest. They wanted to use these Chunin Exams to unite the ninja of every village.
But with those two wills colliding within him, he followed his heart and chose to stand with Madara.
After all, he also wanted to see the revived Demonic Statue of the Outer Path take root underground and transform into the God Tree, to verify the discussion he had previously had with Naori and Mao—whether the God Tree could influence the creatures of the Shinobi World like the Tailed Beasts did.
The explosions that resounded through the heavens, accompanied by the howling gale that stretched on without end, assailed the Konoha Allied Forces rushing to reinforce the depths of the forest.
Without deliberately sensing anything, they could perceive through the acupuncture points on the surfaces of their bodies the chaotic, immense chakra carried within the roaring wind.
"Judging from the amount of chakra in the turbulence ahead, the number of Tailed Beasts fighting in the depths of the forest far exceeds the seven from Sunagakure's previous battle."
As she darted through the woods, Naori placed her left hand on her slender waist, steadying the ninja sword at her side as it swayed in the wind with the sound of clashing metal. The ink-black tomoe in her eyes turned slightly as she spoke to Rikusei beside her.
Rikusei landed on a broken branch and turned to glance at the girl's ponytail streaming behind her in the wind. He nodded steadily. "Kumogakure must be relying on its advantage in Jinchuriki and was the first to enter the territory