"Though I don't know when Konoha got a Fifth Hokage, since you said so... then let's run! Are you ready—"
Gamabunta leaped into the air, then changed direction and sprinted toward the southwest corner.
"Ah..." Hinata lost her balance and fell into Naruto's arms.
Naruto quickly steadied Hinata, conveniently wrapping an arm around her slender waist. Gamabunta, shake harder. I can keep my footing—run even faster...
"Trying to run!" One-Tail Shukaku would never let its opponent leave safely. Unless it killed this giant toad that dared oppose it, Shukaku would not rest.
Shukaku spread its short, thick legs, dragging its bloated body and swaying its huge tail as it pursued Gamabunta.
Naruto glanced back and said, "Tch, that fat guy who can only spit Wind Release moves so slowly."
Hinata asked, "Naruto-kun, what kind of monster is that?"
"Hmm..." Naruto racked his brains, unsure how to explain it, and could only say, "You can take a look with your Byakugan."
"Byakugan!" Hinata activated her Byakugan and immediately saw that the tanuki monster was actually an enormous mass of chakra. In other words, One-Tail Shukaku was composed of a vast amount of chakra.
"..." Hinata was too shocked for words. It was truly an eye-opening sight.
"Gamabunta, stop first. There's no rush to get there." Naruto called out, "I spotted some Sound Ninja nearby. Just spit and drown them."
"Huh? What did you say? Spit?" Gamabunta got angry. "That's Water Release! Iron Cannonball! You're the spit!"
Several Sound Ninja Village ninja were hiding in nearby houses. Under Orochimaru's orders, they had invaded Konoha and were now burning, killing, and looting.
The Sound Ninja were so shocked by the sight of Gamabunta that they did not dare move recklessly. The battle plan had never mentioned Konoha having such a massive toad.
"Sorry,