My First Friend

As Naruto winds up his decisive Big Ball Rasenshuriken, Hashirama's Wood Dragon coils around Madara, holding him fast while siphoning off his chakra. The Shinobi Alliance advances on Madara's position as the attack flies, and Sai reaches Naruto to carry him forward on his ink creation. On the other front, Gaara calls on Shukaku for help. The One-Tail balks at first, then agrees to fight, framing it not as a favor to Gaara but as a chance to prove itself the better of Kurama.

Hashirama immobilises and drains Madara, buying room for Naruto's finishing blow while the alliance closes in. Shukaku consents to enter the battle on its own terms. Son Gokū, the Four-Tails, remarks that the tailed beasts too will join the fight and asks the young Kazekage outright whether he counts Naruto as a friend.

The question sends Gaara back through his childhood as a shunned jinchūriki, the isolation he endured, and the turning point when Naruto crossed his path. He tells the Four-Tails plainly that Naruto was the first friend he ever had, then leads the way as the beasts and their partners prepare to throw themselves into the war.