Demon Dragon Rider

Chapter 31: To End it All

The sky was gray and dark as rain fell upon the rocky plains around Iwagakure no Sato. The fields were slightly muddy from the rain, making walking on them treacherous in holding one's footing.

Onto this field massed the combined might of the Shinobi Alliance. Ninjas from the Elemental Nations stood shoulder to shoulder. Once bitter rivals, all now united for one cause.

At the head of the army stood the leaders of each ninja group arrayed behind them. Leader and head ninja stood proudly in the pouring rain, eyeing the city before them.

Next to them stood Onyxia, Azuren and Gamabunta, the boss of the Toad summons. Each with their respective rider or summoner on their back.

Naruto glanced at Hinata through the eye slits of his helmet. She glanced back and nodded quietly, to which Naruto returned the nod.

In Iwa, all seemed silent. Not a figure was not seen patrolling the walls. It almost seemed like the city was empty of life.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, unnerved by the stillness of the city. She would have thought that Madara would have made a move before now. Or at least put his forces to the field in a display of strength.

As if hearing her thoughts, the walls came alive with Iwa ninjas, causing some consternation in the Iwa members of the Shinobi Alliance army. And at the same time, thousands of white forms began to rise from the ground in front of the walls. Within minutes, the Shinobi Alliance found themselves outnumbered two to one.

Madara smirked as he watched from his vantage spot in the center of Iwa's wall, seeing the outnumbered Shinobi Alliance.

The sudden appearance of such a large force, one with vastly superior numbers, started to cause the ninjas to mumble and shift a bit, with their confidence drained by the sight.

Naruto, seeing this, gave a small command to Onyxia. The black dragon moved forward, ahead of the entire army before turning to face them. Naruto looked over them all before slowly raising one hand.

"My friends! My comrades! My fellow warriors from all across these lands! Heed me now!" he shouted.

As the ninjas turned their attention to him, he continued. "I know you are afraid. We face an enemy who not only has a larger force than our own, but also has great power, few of which can rival! But we must not falter! Our enemy believes this battle is already his to win! But on this day, we shall prove him wrong!!"

Some of the ninjas began to nod as murmurs and shouts of agreement echoed through the ranks. Naruto drew forth Vindr from its scabbard at his side. "Though we may be rivals and strangers from different villages, we share one thing in common! We are ninja! And today, we unite to show those who oppress us that we will fight and die as proud ninjas! For your homes, for your villages and for yourselves! WE STAND AS ONE!!!"

A mighty cheer went up as Naruto raised Vindr high in the air. Kunais, ninjatos and numerous other weapons rose to join him. Turning, Naruto pointed his sword at Iwa. With a mighty roar, Onyxia took to the air as the Shinobi Alliance charged forward.

Madara just waved one hand, signaling his Zetsu clone army to advance as the ninjas charged across the muddy field towards them, undeterred by the slippery round, the pouring rain or the thousand of clones bearing down upon them.

Naruto and Hinata took to the air on Onyxia and Azuren's backs, struggling to gain altitude in the pouring rain, which made it harder to fly. But both dragons fought against the elements and soon reached acceptable height to begin maneuvering. They both wheeled around the flanks of the Zetsu army.