Tiezhu fell silent.
The faces of his comrades surfaced in his mind-Arashi, Huochi, Daohuo, and the older Uchiha clansmen who had already set out.
They were risking their lives on the front lines, while he stood here stopping a group of children who wanted to help.
Suddenly, he felt ridiculous.
"Go."
Tiezhu's voice was hoarse.
He stepped aside to clear the way.
"But I won't let you go alone."
He looked toward the shadows and called out.
"Arashi! Take some men and follow them!"
Uchiha Arashi emerged from the shadows, several Uchiha elites behind him.
They exchanged glances and nodded.
Naruto grinned.
"Thank you, sir!"
He turned and ran toward the village entrance.
Sasuke followed him, then Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Shino, Hinata, Ino, Sakura, Tenten, Neji, and Rock Lee.
Twelve figures passed through the village gates and vanished into the moonlit forest.
Tiezhu stood at the entrance, watching their retreating backs for a long time.
Then he turned to the Anbu beside him.
"Report to the Anbu. Tell them the Konoha 12 have set out, escorted by a Uchiha squad."
The Anbu acknowledged the order and vanished into the night.
Hashirama's Wood Release clones emerged from the forest-one, two, four, eight. Each possessed chakra on par with a tailed beast.
Each bore the markings of Sage Mode, and each was like a moving mountain.
They spread out. Some joined the encirclement of the White Zetsu army, some went to support Itachi and Shisui, and others cut off the Impure World Reincarnation army's retreat.
The original remained in front of Black Zetsu, one hand gripping his neck while the other formed hand seals. Wood Release branches erupted from the ground and wrapped around Black Zetsu's body, layer after layer, as though binding a trapped beast trying to break free.
Black