"Tch..."
Obito stopped responding to Madara and reached for the chain instead.
Crack.
He tore off the Gunbai's chain clasp and casually tossed the fan toward Madara.
The Gunbai spun through the air with a whistling rush of wind.
Without even turning his head, Madara merely raised his right hand slightly, spread his fingers, and caught the Gunbai firmly.
With a bang, the fan struck the ground, sending several cracks through the broken ice beneath his feet.
After throwing the Gunbai, Obito took a step back and let his hands hang at his sides. His scarlet Sharingan settled on Kakashi again, as though he were waiting for something.
Meanwhile, Naruto took advantage of the opening to turn his head and quietly ask Ning Xue, who was beside him healing his injuries with Water Jellyfish.
"Hey, Ning Xue, how are Granny Tsunade and the others?"
Ning Xue stared at Madara Uchiha before him and pressed a blue jellyfish against his chest, where a wound left by Susanoo's blade was slowly healing under the effects of Medical Ninjutsu.
Hearing the question, he answered without looking away.
"They're fine. They should be here soon."
Having received a definite answer and learned that Tsunade and the others were safe, Naruto felt somewhat reassured.
But when he looked up and saw Madara Uchiha standing before him with his arms folded, he could no longer suppress the anger he had held down for so long.
"Kurama!"
He gave a sudden, low shout. Golden chakra instantly erupted from his body, and nine enormous golden tails extended and floated behind him, each carrying violent chakra that sent the surrounding rubble flying in every direction.
"I know, I know."
Kurama's deep voice came from within Naruto, carrying a helpless yet indulgent sigh.
The nine tails stopped swaying aimlessly and