The Fourth Ninja War is undoubtedly the most significant event in the entire Naruto series. Tobi, a masked Sharingan user, initiates a war against the Five Great Countries, resulting in the formation of the Shinobi Alliance. Additionally, Kabuto Yakushi resurrects some of the most formidable deceased ninjas, including the renowned Madara Uchiha.
As Tobi and Kabuto join forces, they find themselves in opposition with the Shinobi Alliance, which includes Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Killer B, and the Five Kage. Meanwhile, Sasuke Uchiha initiates his own actions. Little do they know, this entire conflict is actually a part of Black Zetsu’s scheme to revive the malevolent deity Kaguya Otsutsuki.
The war’s climax occurs during a series of intense emotional moments and breathtaking struggles as Team 7 faces off against Kaguya. Check out the Naruto Fourth Ninja War timeline below to learn about the events that uncovered the true origins of the ninja world and altered the destiny of humanity.
A Complete Recap of the War Arc in Naruto (spoilers ahead)
The Early Stage of the Conflict
Tobi, disguised as Madara Uchiha, requested the Five Kage to surrender the Eight Tails and Nine Tails in order to carry out the “Eye of the Moon Plan.”However, the Kage stood united in their refusal, prompting Tobi to declare war on the entire ninja world.
In order to combat Tobi and his Akatsuki organization, the Kage united their resources and formed the Shinobi Alliance. At the same time, Tobi formed an alliance with Kabuto Yakushi, who was once Orochimaru’s right-hand man.
Kabuto had a formidable army at his disposal, having utilized the Impure World Reincarnation to call forth numerous skilled deceased ninjas to fight for him. This included past members of Akatsuki, previous Kage, and renowned shinobi.
In order to bolster Kabuto’s army of undead soldiers, Tobi contributed an additional 100,000 clones of White Zetsu. The Kage had a specific goal in mind for these reinforcements – to protect Naruto Uzumaki and Killer B, the jinchuriki of the Nine and Eight Tails, respectively. As a safety precaution, they were sent to take refuge on Turtle Island in the Land of Lightning. It was during their time there that Naruto was finally able to gain some control over the powerful Nine Tails chakra.
Despite Kisame Hoshigaki’s attack on the island, Might Guy was able to successfully stop his attempt. As the two engaged in battle, Guy emerged as the clear victor, defeating Kisame with ease. Faced with defeat, Kisame was forced to reveal the whereabouts of Turtle Island and ultimately chose to take his own life.
Using the information provided by Kisame, Kabuto successfully located and apprehended Yamato. Yamato’s DNA was then utilized to enhance the power of the White Zetsu clones. In the meantime, the Allied Shinobi Forces finished their preparations, assembling a force of 80,000 shinobi and samurai divided into five main divisions.
The confrontation begins
Amidst the raging battle across multiple fields, Naruto and Killer B managed to break free from confinement and make their way to the war zone. Joining them was Sasuke, who had unlocked his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and departed from the Akatsuki hideout.
Despite the formidable zombies created by Kabuto, the Allied Shinobi Forces emerged victorious. As a result of being trapped, Deidara was unable to continue fighting and the souls of Sasori and Shin were freed from the Impure World Reincarnation. Haku, Zabuza, and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were ultimately defeated and sealed away.
Despite their shapeshifting abilities, the White Zetsu clones were able to infiltrate the Shinobi Alliance undetected. This caused the alliance to tactically withdraw as they had no effective methods to identify the disguised Zetsu. Fortunately, Naruto utilized his newfound ability to sense hatred and killing intent, exposing the impostors and preventing further infiltration.
The upcoming Seventh Hokage deployed his Shadow Clones throughout the battlefield, playing a crucial role in foiling Zetsu’s trickery. The clones were also instrumental in aiding Gaara and Onoki in gaining the advantage over the resurrected Gengetsu and Mu, also known as the Second Mizukage and Second Tsuchikage.
During the battle, Gaara successfully engaged and sealed his father, the Fourth Kazekage. Meanwhile, one of Naruto’s clones managed to outmaneuver the Third Raikage. The Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths were used by Kinkaku and Ginkaku to attack the First and Second Divisions.
Despite a difficult battle, Darui managed to outsmart the two brothers by using their own tools against them. Additionally, Asuma Sarutobi, Kakuzu, Hiashi Hyuga, and Dan Kato, who had been revived, were either sealed away or trapped.
Kabuto ordered his two most powerful zombies, Nagato and Itachi, to attack the Nine Tails and Eight Tails. In the midst of the fierce battle, the Kotoamatsukami, which Itachi had previously placed on Naruto before his death, suddenly activated. This resulted in Itachi breaking free from Kabuto’s manipulation.
Naruto, Killer B, and Itachi worked together to overpower Nagato and ultimately Itachi’s Susanoo sealed him. Shortly after, Kabuto instilled fear in everyone by summoning an undead Madara Uchiha onto the battlefield. This also indirectly exposed Tobi as an imposter.
Despite the combined strength of the current Five Kage, Onoki, A, Gaara, Tsunade, and Mei Terumi, they were unable to defeat Madara, who easily annihilated them in their battle against the legendary Uchiha clan.
Despite being outnumbered by Tobi and his six Tailed Beast jinchuriki, Naruto and B were on the brink of defeat until Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy arrived just in time to save them. After their arrival, Naruto was finally able to fully tap into the Nine Tails’ powers for the first time.
With the goal of putting an end to the Impure World Reincarnation, Itachi sought out Kabuto. During his search, he encountered his younger brother, Sasuke. Together, they joined forces to take on Kabuto, utilizing the White Snake Sage Mode.
During the encounter, Itachi managed to apprehend Kabuto with his unique Izanami technique, which compelled him to end the Impure World Reincarnation. Before disappearing permanently along with the other resurrected individuals, Itachi made amends with Sasuke.
Obito and Madara
Despite Naruto and the others’ attempts to stop him, Tobi successfully summoned the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to defend himself and begin the revival of the Ten Tails. Utilizing a specific technique, Tobi easily evaded all of their attacks, making it impossible for them to stop him.
Having a brilliant intuition, Kakashi was able to grasp the true purpose of Tobi’s technique. He soon realized that this mysterious ability was quite similar to the powers possessed by Kakashi’s own Mangekyo Sharingan. Utilizing his own space-time technique, Kakashi effectively countered Tobi’s jutsu, ultimately giving Naruto the opportunity to strike the villain and bring an end to the battle.
As Tobi’s mask was shattered by the strike, his true identity was revealed to be Obito Uchiha. It was Obito who had given Kakashi his Sharingan many years before, despite being believed to have perished. Obito proceeded to explain his survival and the motivations behind his current convictions. Shortly after, Madara appeared by Obito’s side.
Despite Kakashi’s attempts to redeem his former friend, his words proved to be ineffective. With the preparations for the revival of the Ten Tails completed, Obito and Madara connected to the beast and utilized it to sow destruction and hopelessness among the Shinobi Alliance.
As a result, several individuals were injured or killed, including Neji Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, and Inoichi Yamanaka. As the Ten Tails began to undergo a transformation, Naruto utilized his chakra to protect the entire Shinobi Alliance. Kakashi and Obito then teleported to the Kamui dimension, where they engaged in a high-speed battle.
In the meantime, Sasuke brought Orochimaru back to life and requested that he use his powers to bring back the first four Hokage. Sasuke’s goal was to gain insight into the true history of the Hidden Leaf from those who were directly involved in its creation. After uncovering the truth about Madara and Hashirama’s past, Sasuke is able to make a final decision about which path he will take.
Sasuke, accompanied by the Hokage, Orochimaru, and Team Taka, appeared on the battlefield and joined the Shinobi Alliance. In the Kamui dimension, Kakashi dealt a fatal blow to Obito, leaving him on the verge of death.
Despite his exhaustion, Obito mustered the remaining remnants of his strength to make his way back to the real world. There, he successfully sealed the Ten Tails within himself. Empowered by his newfound abilities as the jinchuriki of the Ten Tails, Obito bravely faced off against the entire Shinobi Alliance.
With the assistance of everyone, Naruto and Sasuke were able to defeat Obito despite his wavering thoughts and doubts. Realizing the error of his ways, Obito made the decision to sacrifice his own life in order to use his Rinnegan to revive those he had killed.
In one swift motion, Black Zetsu seized control of Obito’s frail body, compelling him to bring Madara back to life. No longer a lifeless being, Madara emerged in his true form and effortlessly defeated Hashirama and Tobirama. He even assimilated Hashirama’s Sage Mode.
After Madara defeated Naruto and Sasuke, almost killing them, he successfully became the new jinchuriki of the Ten Tails. In a desperate effort, Kakashi and Obito joined forces to give Naruto the necessary chakra, while Kabuto surprisingly appeared to heal Sasuke on the battlefield.
Guy utilized the Eighth Gate to its fullest potential in order to defeat the powerful Madara. As Guy engaged in battle with Madara, Naruto and Sasuke received additional abilities from Hagoromo Otsutsuki, also known as the Sage of the Six Paths.
Guy delivered a devastating blow to Madara, causing severe damage to half of his body. Despite this, Madara was able to regenerate himself. In response, Naruto and Sasuke utilized their newfound powers to confront Madara. Despite their efforts, Madara managed to take Kakashi’s exhausted Sharingan and use it to transport himself to the Kamui dimension. There, he obtained the remaining Rinnegan needed to execute the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
After successfully casting the technique, Madara trapped the entire world in his illusion. As he was about to declare his victory, Black Zetsu unexpectedly seized control of his body and utilized it to resurrect Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Kaguya’s Comeback
Kaguya, an ancient alien goddess, was not only the mother of Hagoromo but also the true form of the Ten Tails. With her reality-bending abilities, she swapped the world with a distant dimension of her own. Despite Naruto and Sasuke’s attempts to defeat her, she effortlessly overpowered them.
Despite Kaguya’s imminent threat to the Team 7 members, Obito valiantly chose to sacrifice himself in order to protect them. As his soul was reunited with Rin in the afterlife, Obito entrusted Kakashi, his former comrade, with all of his Six Paths chakra and Mangekyo Sharingan powers, believing in Kakashi’s ability to use them to save the world.
This occurrence significantly shifted the tide of the battle, with Kakashi taking a decisive stand in front of his students and providing crucial aid. By utilizing his advanced space-time abilities, Kakashi effectively countered Kaguya’s colossal transformation. He proceeded to inflict harm upon the malevolent deity and thwarted her efforts to retaliate.
Thanks to Kakashi’s intervention, Naruto and Sasuke were able to successfully use the special seals from Hagoromo to make contact with Kaguya. This resulted in a unique jutsu that effectively imprisoned Kaguya, ending her threat once and for all. As they all returned to the real world, Hagoromo praised Team 7 for their triumph.
Obito’s chakra dissipated from Kakashi’s body, and the two comrades bid each other a final farewell. Madara and Hashirama also conversed before their permanent departures; Madara in his final moments and Hashirama on the brink of vanishing. Minato wished Naruto a joyous birthday, and shortly after, Hagoromo released the souls of all the revived Hokage back to the Pure Land.
As Kakashi’s enhanced abilities wore off and the Hokage disappeared, Sasuke suddenly unveiled his true motives. Utilizing his Rinnegan, he subdued all of the Tailed Beasts and proclaimed his plan to dismantle the existing system and establish himself as the sole authority in the world, aiming to prevent future wars. Despite Naruto’s efforts to persuade him otherwise, the two engaged in a fierce battle.
In Conclusion
Once more, the Valley of the End served as the battleground for Naruto and Sasuke’s clash of ideals. Sasuke aimed to demolish the ninja world and reconstruct it, while the aspiring Seventh Hokage sought to save his former ally and rid him of his inner turmoil. The two engaged in a fierce confrontation until a final showdown left them both unconscious.
After waking up, Sasuke humbly accepted defeat to Naruto’s beliefs, ultimately recognizing the importance of his principles. As a team, they brought an end to the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The release from the dreadful illusion and eradication of all dangers resulted in the restoration of peace to the world, signifying the conclusion of the intense conflict.
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