FOURTH SHINOBI WAR

DAY ONE

Battle at Mountains' Graveyard 

Location: Mountains' Graveyard

Combatants

Akatsuki: Kabuto Yakushi, Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon

Allied Shinobi Forces: Infiltration and Reconnaissance Party

Duration

Outcome: Infiltration and Reconnaissance Party are all captured. Muta Aburame manages to send intel back to HQ. Akatsuki tactical victory. Allied Shinobi Forces strategic victory.

When the Akatsuki starts mobilising for war, Anko Mitarashi ordered her team to make contact with the Allied Shinobi Forces while she continue to investigate. Hiding in the bushes, she is found by Kabuto Yakushi and, despite her best efforts, she was defeated and captured after a brief clash. While the rest of the team is retreating,Tokuma Hyūga notices that their presence has been detected by Akatsuki's Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon. He volunteers to stay behind while Muta Aburame and Ranka try to escape but they were separated when Deidara bombards the area with explosive clays. Muta uses his insects to jam the enemy sensor while sending sent his swarm of insects with a scroll containing information back to the HQ. A short while later, all the three members were captured.

Battle of the Surprise Attack Divisions 

Location: Land of Hot Water

Combatants

Akatsuki: Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon

Allied Shinobi Forces: Surprise Attack Division

Duration

Outcome: Deidara is captured. Shin and Sasori return to the afterlife. Chūkichi flees. Muta Aburame is killed.Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

Both Surprise Attack squads meet coincidentally in the Land of Hot Water, and they engage in battle. Akatsukimakes the first move, but the Allied Shinobi Force's numbers and strategy of luring Akatsuki into their terrain give them the upper hand. The Allies were able to use their emotions to put them at their highest capacity, including a calm Omoi, a furious Sai, and a determined Kankurō.

Allied Force's Ambush 

Location: Land of Hot Water

Combatants

Akatsuki: Haku, Pakura, Gari, the previous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, portion of the White Zetsu Army

Allied Shinobi Forces: Part of the Surprise Attack Division, Third Division and Naruto's shadow clone (later)

Duration

Outcome: Tajiki and dozens of Allied Shinobi killed or wounded. All reincarnated shinobi are sealed. Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

The Surprise Attack Division launched an ambush on the Akatsuki shinobi, which easily survived the attack. They then notified the Third Division with a flare, who quickly arrived and saved the ones that were about to be killed.Zabuza Momochi then pleaded with Kakashi Hatake to kill them, then Kabuto Yakushi's technique forced the battle to begin. Zabuza concealed the Akatsuki's movements with his Hiding in Mist Technique. Pakura usedScorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder to kill at least two ninja, and Tajiki was killed by Gari with Explosion Release: Landmine Fist. Sakura Haruno, being a medical ninja, helped heal the injured. Pakura and Gari then summoned the rest of the previous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The new swordsmen then attacked, using their superior swordsmanship to kill at least a dozen more allied shinobi. Kakashi developed a plan involving Ensui Nara, Santa Yamanaka and Maki to seal Zabuza and lift the mist covering the battlefield. However, Haku once more saved Zabuza, holding Kakashi in place, which Zabuza tried to exploit by attempting to slash through both of them. Kakashi was slashed yet survived and immediately countered, allowing Maki to immobilise the recovering Haku and Zabuza, stopping the Hiding in Mist Technique. Later Kakashi's division seemed to have retreated into the forests, the battle seems to be ongoing. On the second day of battle, Kakashi's division manages to sealFuguki Suikazan and all other reincarnated shinobi but three. More White Zetsu Army clones arrive as reinforcements while one of Naruto Uzumaki's shadow clones arrives at that battlefield as well. Later this day, only one reincarnated shinobi remains on the battlefield. The remaining reincarnated shinobi and the White Zetsu Army were eventually defeated and the rest of the Allied Shinobi Force ninja rushed to the original Naruto and Killer B's position to support them, with Kakashi and Might Guy going on ahead.

Battle in the Land of Frost 

Location: Border of the Land of Frost and the Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Around 20,000 clones of the White Zetsu Army

Allied Shinobi Forces: Second Division, westerly section of the Fifth Division and Naruto's shadow clone (later)

Duration

Outcome: Tactical withdrawal of the Allied Shinobi Forces to aid the First Division. Eventual Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi used Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation to unearth the moving Zetsu army, and then the divisions immediately attacked. The opening shots seemed to have destroyed a significant quantity of the Zetsu clones before they had a chance to mount any form of counter-attack. However, as a seemingly unending number of durable clones continued to emerge, the conflict quickly descended into one of attrition, tiring much of the Allied Shinobi Forces and allowing thousands of the clones to proceed without hindrance underground. Part of the Second Division went to aid Darui's First Division. Eventually, the remaining troops apparently defeated the rest of the White Zetsu Army in the area and were seen resting after the battle. However, they too had been infiltrated by the White Zetsu's Substitute Technique, killing comrades and causing uncertainty. This was resolved thanks to Naruto Uzumaki's clone arriving and helping to root out the enemy.

First Battle on the Land of Lightning's Coast 

Location: North-western coast of the Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Thousands of the White Zetsu Army, Asuma Sarutobi, Hizashi Hyūga, Dan Katō, Kakuzu,Kinkaku and Ginkaku

Allied Shinobi Forces: First Division, parts of the Second Division, Fourth Division and the eastern tail of the Fifth Division

Duration

Outcome: Atsui, Samui, and Ginkaku are sealed within the Benihisago. Kinkaku is sealed within the Kohaku no Jōhei. Asuma Sarutobi is sealed. All the White Zetsu clones involved are defeated. Several shinobi are killed. Dan Katō is trapped within the Four Violet Flames Battle Encampment. Kakuzu and Hizashi Hyūga are subdued by Chōji Akimichi. Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

Darui and his division awaited the section of the White Zetsu Army that passed under the Second Division, making preparations to fight them and the reincarnated shinobi as they came ashore. Hiashi Hyūga battles Hizashi Hyūga, and Chōza Akimichi battles Dan. The Gold and Silver Brothers then began their battle with Darui, who is supported by Samui and her brother Atsui. The brothers begin fighting Darui and his team-mates where Kinkaku tackles Atsui and Samui with the Kōkinjō and Ginkaku severs their pulled word souls with the Shichiseiken which are after that sucked in the Benihisago. The siblings try to remain silent, as their most spoken word would result in them being sealed in Benihisago. Kinkaku waves the Bashōsen to create a wave of fire that causes Atsui to say "hot", his most spoken word, and gets sealed. Ginkaku holds Samui hostage and the brothers threatens Darui she will be killed unless he drops his weapon. Just as he appears to have given up, Kinkaku tries to attack him with his sword but Darui slices Kinkaku's arm and aims Storm Release: Laser Circus on Ginkaku to free Samui. Ginkaku kicks his sliced arm wrapped with Kōkinjō at Darui causing his word soul to be pulled out. Ginkaku seals Samui despite her not saying a word and Kinkaku curses Darui's word soul. Darui discovers that if he keeps silent to long, he'll be sealed anyway. During the confrontation, countless White Zetsu clones continue to be destroyed in the immediate vicinity. Despite not saying his most spoken word "dull", Darui is still sealed when saying words sounding similar to dull. Darui apologises to those he failed which cancels the sealing as the spoken word "dull" has changed to "sorry" due to Darui being very apologetic. Then a fortunate Darui manages to steal the Benihisagoand the Shichiseiken, before sealing Ginkaku and causing Kinkaku to perform a tailed beast transformation in response, who then proceeded to devastate much of the First Division in an attempt to kill his brother's captor.Kitsuchi saves Darui from an attack from Kinkaku as parts of the Second, Fourth, and Fifth divisions arrived to help the overwhelmed First, with the Kohaku no Jōhei being sent to the battlefield by Mabui around the same time. This allowed Darui, acting in conjunction with Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji to seal Kinkaku within the pot.

With Kinkaku's imprisonment, the battle began anew with Kakuzu obtaining the fifth heart needed to use his Earth Grudge Fear. After sending the four masks out into the conflict, Izumo and Kotetsu managed to catch him off guard and slice through his body, pinning his arms in order to prevent him from regenerating. Darui is then ordered to help the pair while the Allied Shinobi Forces fight the heart monsters. Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji are sent to deal with the reincarnated Asuma, who was slaughtering a considerable amount of shinobi. Chōza and Dan continue their battle, with preparations being made in order to avoid the latter's use of his Spirit Transformation Technique. Kitsuchi leads dozens of shinobi to fight the remaining Zetsu clones and other shinobi fight Kakuzu's heart monsters. Team 10 continues their battle with Asuma; Shikamaru creates an opening for Chōji to attack, but he hesitates, allowing Asuma to use his Wind Release: Dust Cloud Technique on him. Ino saves him. The controlled Asuma goes in to kill Chōji but Ino takes control of his body and dodges, and then Ino fights Asuma within Choji's body. Chōza saves his son from another attack that would obliterate Choji and with enough encouraging, he creates butterfly wings. Ino controls White Zetsu clones to fight Asuma, giving Chōji and Shikamaru a chance to attack him. After using a calorie-enhanced chakra punch Chōji defeats Asuma; later he expands his wings further and claims that he will end this battle himself. Later, the battle is seemingly over, with Dan restrained in the Four Violet Flames Battle Encampment, Kakuzu and Hizashi Hyūga defeated by the Alliance. Tenten overstrains herself from using the Bashōsen and quickly receives medical attention.

Battle in the Land of Hot Water 

Location: Land of Hot Water

Combatants

Akatsuki: Hanzō, Chiyo, Kimimaro, Chūkichi, Ibuse

Allied Shinobi Forces: Part of the Surprise Attack Division, Mifune, samurai and at least one shinobi of the Fifth Division and Naruto's shadow clone (later)

Duration

Outcome: Ibuse killed. Several samurai killed. All reincarnated shinobi released from Impure World Reincarnation, Kankurō's portion of the Surprise Attack Division paralysed, but later given antidote. Allied Shinobi's victory.

Attempting to retrieve the captured Deidara, a portion of Kankurō's division encounters an elite Akatsuki unit and immediately tries to retreat to escape the superior opposition. In response, they are instantly paralysed byHanzō's summoned Ibuse but Mifune manages to intercept Hanzō's fatal attack, before requesting a duel with the deceased shinobi. Samurai then arrive to back up Mifune and decide to take the poisoned Surprise Attack Divisionto the Logistical Support and Medical Division. Mifune then faces Hanzō alone, while the samurai fight Kimimaroand Chiyo. Ibuse swallows Mifune but he cuts Ibuse's head open. Hanzō is unable to use ninjutsu due to Mifune attacking him when he stops to weave hand seals. Mifune remembers having fought Hanzō in his youth, and the two discuss their ideals during the fight. Mifune convinces Hanzō against fighting. Hanzō then performs seppuku, causing his own poison to paralyse him. Hanzō is then sealed. In the second day of the battle, a clone of Narutoarrives to help against Chiyo and Kimimaro. The battle continues until the three remaining reincarnated ninja start deconstructing, thanks to Itachi's efforts.

Second Battle on the Land of Lightning Coast 

Location: North-western coast of the Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Tobi and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path

Allied Shinobi Forces: First Division, parts of the Second Division, Fourth Division and the eastern tail of the Fifth Division

Duration

Outcome: Dan Katō is freed, Kakuzu escapes from being sealed, hundreds of Allied Shinobi dead in Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's rampage, Tobi retrieves the Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei for containing theGold and Silver Brothers. Akatsuki victory.

Almost immediately after all the participating members of the White Zetsu Army were defeated, as well as Hizashi Hyūga, Kakuzu, and Dan Katō were all restrained, Tobi initiated a new battle right off the coast by summoning theDemonic Statue of the Outer Path. Chōza and Chōji try to fight against the Demonic Statue but are easily defeated. While it fights against the allied shinobi, Tobi uses the opportunity to obtain Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei, containing the sealed Gold and Silver Brothers. Shikamaru realises Tobi sent them to the front lines so they can be sealed into the statue when given the chance. Tobi states he is a worthy opponent and has the statue stomp on him. Shikamaru and Darui are saved by Chōji and Kitsuchi and the statue is de-summoned.

At the end of the first day of the battle, both the Allied Shinobi Forces and Akatsuki received massive casualties, having effectively halved both sides battle forces. The 80,000 strong Allied Shinobi Forces were brought down to 40,000, and the 100,000 strong White Zetsu Army was brought down to 50,000, on top of the several already sealed reincarnated shinobi.

The Battle for the Daimyō's Protection 

Location: Unknown

Combatants

Akatsuki: Black Zetsu

Allied Shinobi Forces: Daimyō Protection Squad, Naruto Uzumaki's shadow clone (later)

Duration

Outcome: Black Zetsu is incapacitated. Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

Black Zetsu finally manages to locate the daimyō's at one of the secret hideouts, only to be kicked away before reaching the castle. Having encountered Mei Terumi, the Fifth Mizukage, and the Daimyō Protection Squad, a battle begins, but not before Black Zetsu senses the escape of the target jinchūriki and informs Tobi of it. Black Zetsu was then ordered to continue fighting the Daimyō Protection Squad, more as a distraction than to actually capture the daimyō. The battle continues on the next day, pausing only briefly with the abrupt appearance of one of Naruto Uzumaki's shadow clones. Just as the clone was captured by Zetsu, it was bifurcated by Chōjūrō. Black Zetsu was pinned in place, as Mei left for another battlefield.

Night One 

During the night after the first battle, Akatsuki's White Zetsu Army engaged in devastating night time attacks, using their advanced transformation technique to pose as several Allied Shinobi to begin killing medics and other personnel. The transformed Zetsu could slip past all detection barriers and murder indiscriminately without being caught. However, thanks to Sakura Haruno, the deception was uncovered and the Allied Shinobi Forces were now on guard to the attacks. Despite that though, by morning, there had been several deaths due to the Zetsu.

At the same time, A and Tsunade moved to intercept Naruto Uzumaki and Killer B who had escaped from theIsland Turtle before night fell. After a long struggle between Naruto, B, and A, Naruto was finally able to convince A to let them go to the battlefield by beating him in speed.

Day Two 

First Skirmish in the Land of Lightning 

Location: Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: White Zetsu Army posing as Allied Shinobi

Allied Shinobi Forces: Naruto Uzumaki, Killer B, and Gamahiro

Duration

Outcome: All White Zetsu killed, Naruto uses his Shadow Clone Technique to disperse clones into the battlefield. Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

Naruto and B, in their first action of the War, encountered shinobi of the Allied Shinobi Forces heading to the HQ lead by F. However, Naruto was able to sense they were White Zetsu in his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Finally able to go all out, Naruto and B destroyed the platoon of White Zetsu with ease, even killing a merged White Zetsu bycrushing it with Gamahiro. Naruto then used his Shadow Clone Technique to send his clones all over the battlefield to detect the White Zetsu.

Second Skirmish in the Land of Lightning 

Location: Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Toroi

Allied Shinobi Forces: Two Allied Forces shinobi, Naruto Uzumaki (later)

Duration

Outcome: Toroi is sealed, Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

A Kumogakure and Sunagakure shinobi were separated from F's platoon (which were actually White Zetsu Armyclones in disguise) heading towards HQ. Toroi is later discovered trailing after them during their relocation, with numerous shuriken in hand and scroll in mouth. Identified by the Kumo-nin, who attempts to alert his ally to the best method to not fall victim to his Magnet Release, Toroi goes on the offensive. In spite of the pre-emptive warning, the unaware Suna-nin still falls foul of the attack and is evidently terrified as the details of the techniqueare disclosed. Prepared to conclude the battle using even larger shuriken, Toroi is ambushed from behind byNaruto Uzumaki wielding a Rasengan, before being sealed by the previously panic stricken Suna-nin. Killer Barrived in the aftermath of the battle and tell his fellow Kumo shinobi that F's platoon were White Zetsu before he and Naruto went away.

First Southern Battle in the Land of Lightning 

Location: Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Mū, Second Mizukage, Third Raikage, Fourth Kazekage, Giant Clam

Allied Shinobi Forces: Part of the Fourth Division with its Commander Gaara, Ōnoki, Naruto Uzumaki'sshadow clone (later)

Duration

Outcome: Dozens of Allied Forces shinobi are killed, but the Third Raikage, Second Mizukage, Fourth Kazekage, and half of Mū are sealed. Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

Mū, using his Hiding with Camouflage Technique, was able to make his way into the Land of Lightning undetected until Gaara was able to locate him on the first day. Mū then summoned the Second Mizukage, the Third Raikage, and the Fourth Kazekage, ready to engage in battle. However, the Fourth Division slowly retreated, drawing the reincarnated Kage farther into the Land of Lightning while part of the division, led by Shikamaru Nara, broke off to aid in the Battle on the Land of Lightning's coast. After over a day of retreating and the understanding that the Battle on the Land of Lightning's Coast was won, Gaara and Ōnoki engaged the Kage; Gaara sends a huge wave of sand towards the enemy, his father uses his Gold Dust to counteract it. Using the opportunity, Ōnoki attacks using a cone shaped Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique but is countered by Mū who sensed him and uses a cylindrical form of the same technique which results in a colossal crater on the battlefield. As Gaara comes into sight, his father, who had thought that Shukaku had been released, is shocked to see Gaara before him and asks him where the One-Tail was. Gaara responds to him telling him that he was no longer the jinchūriki he had created.

Now having brought Akatsuki farther in to the Land of Lightning, it leaves them vulnerable to an attack from the rear by the First Division and the rest of the Fourth. The battle between father and son commences with the collision of their respective gold and sand, resulting in a mixture of the two. However, by attempting to protect two of the other Kage from an aerial barrage, Gaara restrains his father, and his counters continue to fail in the face of Gaara'sShield of Sand. After Gaara learns the truth about his mother, seals his father, then turning his attention to the Raikage and Mizukage with new determination which escaped from Gaara's sand and they divulge their abilities on the fourth division. Meanwhile, Ōnoki follows Mū, who becomes invisible and states that Ōnoki is going to die if he doesn't call Gaara over. Ōnoki states not to underestimate him as he makes several clones. After the clamsummoned by the Second Mizukage begins casting its mirage, the shinobi try in vain to attack the Mizukage as he seemingly phases through them. He then reminds them that attacking him was useless as he was just a mirage and tells them to attack the clam instead to end the technique. Taking his advice into consideration, the shinobi let loose another onslaught of attacks but when the smoke clears, they realise that they had attacked a mirage again. Seemingly irate at them attacking mirages, the Mizukage tells them to attack the clam and upon trying again, the attack phases through the clam as well. Getting nowhere, the shinobi stand in confusion as how to deal with the situation. As several shinobi of the Fourth Division bear down on him, Temari uses the Wind Release: Cast Net technique to cut the Raikage and calls for the Sealing Team to seal him immediately. Gaara spots Mū behind Ōnoki, who strains his back from the impact. Mū prepares to attack, and Gaara notices a Rasengan behind Mū.

Naruto's clone attempts to attack Mū from behind using a Planetary Rasengan, however the Tsuchikage just senses him and avoids the attack. Acting quickly, Gaara created a platform of sand for Naruto to shoot a chakra arm to to stable himself, and just as Mū began a counter attack with his Dust Release, Naruto used another chakra arm to launch the Planetary Rasengan right into his chest, sending the Second through a rock pillar into the ground. Ōnoki flew over and used the Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique to immobilise his former mentor before he could regenerate, and Gaara finished him off using his sand and a Sealing Tag, despite Mū warning them of something. At another part of the battle, the Second Mizukage had defeated several shinobi around him, commenting that he might be just too strong. Temari and those with her learned the Third Raikage's background, as well as the fact they needed a powerful Wind Release user to take him down due to his insane endurance. Naruto arrived, saying he was that user, and leaped into the air and blinded the Third Raikage with sunlight that was reflected off his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to begin an attack.

Naruto attacks the Third Raikage with Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, missing twice but using his Chakra Arms to redirect it to a nearly point-blank strike which connects. The Third Raikage is sent flying back and is engulfed in the massive wind dome that is created by the Rasenshuriken, and Temari instructs the Sealing Team to move in thinking the fight is over. However, the Raikage isn't finished and he cuts the cloth set to bind him, and immediately charges up his Lightning Release Armor again to begin a counter attack. Dodai instructs the Earth Release users to make a wall, which he makes more durable with Lava Release: Rubber Wall. The Third Raikage smashes through with the Hell Stab, his strongest attack which demolishes the wall, but is momentarily stalled by Dodai's technique. Not heading the Kumo ninja's warning, dozens of Allied Shinobi go to attack the Third Raikage and he tears through them. Learning that the only time that the Third Raikage was injured was from the Eight-Tails, Naruto begins forming the Tailed Beast Rasengan to counter.

Despite attempting the Tailed Beast Rasengan, Naruto fails to form it fully and is forced out of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Kabuto focuses all of the Third Raikage's attacks on Naruto, attempting to knock him out with a punch. However, Dodai saves him with Lava Release: Rubber Ball, and Naruto asked the Eight-Tails how he defeated the Third Raikage. When he learned that both fought each other to a stand still, and the Third Raikage had only been injured after he fell. Suspecting what had happened, he entered Sage Mode and created a Rasengan, meeting the Third's nukite charge. Using Sage Mode's chakra sensing, as well as Frog Kata he dodged the one-finger nukite strike and slammed his Rasengan into the Third Raikage's arm, making him impale himself with his own attack. Before the Third Raikage could regenerate, he was sealed. Elsewhere, Gaara faces the Second Mizukage alone, his Shield of Sand failing against him.

Gaara notices how the Mizukage's oil is nullifying his sand as he uses his Sand Sensing to find the Giant Clam. After locating it, the Third Tsuchikage uses Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique combined with Earth Release: Ultra-Added-Weight Rock Technique to destroy it, revealing the Mizukage's real body. Ōnoki throws out his back, rendering him immobile as the Mizukage uses Water Release: Water Gun to shoot him in the neck. The Third is shown to be a sand clone, which then envelopes the Mizukage. The Second starts to wash away the sand with oil, but Gaara layers the sand into a large pyramid. Then, upon attempting to seal the Mizukage, the pyramid explodes due to Steaming Danger Tyranny. It starts hailing, shrinking the Mizukage's clone, but a member of the Fourth Division senses the Mizukage, because he's no longer a mirage. The clone wreaks havoc, and as Gaara again uses Desert Layered Imperial Funeral, the clone removes the sealing tag and explodes. Gaara protected his division, and appeared before the Mizukage and his clone. The clone attacks Gaara, slicing him, but is shown to have sliced another sand clone. Gaara uses his father's gold dust, mixed in with the sand clone, along with the clone's heat, to fuse the gold to its body. The clone then finds the real Gaara, and tries to attack him, only to be stopped by Gaara's sand and stopped from exploding. The Fifth explains that the gold not only slowed the clone down, but acted as a thermal conductor to draw heat away from the body. With that, the Mizukage is sealed.

In the rubble of a smashed pillar, a damaged Mū stands up. He reveals that he split his body in two, and that only half of him was sealed. He tries to remove the tags from his other half, but the seal is too strong in his weakened state. He then performs a summoning, summoning Madara Uchiha.

Naruto and B vs. Itachi and Nagato 

Location: Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Nagato, Itachi Uchiha (beginning), Giant Drill-Beaked Bird, Giant Multi-Headed Dog, Giant Snake-Tailed Chameleon

Allied Shinobi Forces: Naruto Uzumaki, Killer B, Itachi's Crow, Itachi Uchiha (later)

Duration

Outcome: Itachi is freed from Kabuto's control. Nagato is sealed by the Sword of Totsuka. Itachi's Crow is killed by Itachi in order to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Allied Shinobi Forces victory.

When Nagato and Itachi encounter Naruto and Killer B, Kabuto planned to capture and use them to further blackmail Tobi, deciding to kill the jinchūriki temporarily and store their souls by Nagato in the King of Hell and then revive them later. The battle reveals some truth on Itachi's mission and much to his chagrin, Itachi learns that Sasuke has turned to Tobi instead of returning to Konoha. With this, the battle begins with Nagato (forcefully) summoning his bird and multi-headed dog to battle Naruto. Itachi battles both Naruto and B. Itachi eventually activates his Mangekyō Sharingan. The crow Itachi had placed inside Naruto comes out using Kotoamatsukami on Itachi placing him on Naruto and B's side. Itachi also freed himself of Kabuto's control. Itachi then uses Amaterasuon the summonings and Nagato himself.

Nagato uses Shinra Tensei to blow out the flames, and Kabuto removes Nagato's personality, making him more offensive in battle. Nagato hides in the chameleon summon and attacks them with a powerful Shinra Tensei. Nagato tries to attack B but B enters his Version 2 form and attacks him with a Lariat. Nagato uses the Preta Path's ability to absorb B's chakra which leads Nagato to regain a youthful appearance. When Naruto comes to help, Nagato grabs hold of him and begins to remove his soul.

Naruto tries to escape by attacking Nagato with a Rasengan but he absorbs it. B tries to cut Nagato to save Naruto, but he stops him using two extra arms that grows from his shoulder and almost succeeds in removing Naruto's soul and destroying B until Itachi intercepts him using his Susanoo and attacks the summonings' eyes making them disappear. Nagato proceeds to use Chibaku Tensei to trap the three but is stopped by the combined effort of Itachi's Yasaka Magatama, B's Tailed Beast Ball and Naruto's Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to destroy the sphere at the centre of the attack. As the smoke clears, Nagato finds himself impaled by Susanoo's Sword of Totsuka and his personality returns. Itachi then seals him but not before Nagato gives his last words to Naruto telling him that he was part of a trilogy that included Jiraiya and himself and to correct the wrongs that he had done during his lifetime.

Itachi finishes sealing Nagato. Kabuto expresses frustration on Nagato's sealing, believing that his amplified field of vision would compensate his impaired mobility, though Itachi managed to exploit its blindspots. Kabuto considers using his trump card. Itachi says he has a plan and will handle the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation technique, but Naruto insists on fighting on his own, but begins feeling the effects of extended use of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Itachi reminds Naruto that he shouldn't forget the people who supported him, that doing things on his own will lead to failure. Killer B tells Naruto about his promise to Iruka to keep Naruto safe. Itachiincinerates the crow and Shisui's Sharingan along with it, as it would take another decade before its power could be used again and then leaves.

Second Southern Battle in the Land of Lightning 

Location: Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Madara Uchiha and Mū's other half

Allied Shinobi Forces: A clone of Naruto Uzumaki, Ōnoki, A (later), Mei Terumī (later), Tsunade (later), the Hokage Guard Platoon (later) and part of the Fourth Division with its Commander Gaara

Duration

Outcome: Supposed Akatsuki victory. Thousands of Allied shinobi killed, all Kage heavily injured, Naruto's clone dispersed, Mū is released from the Impure World Reincarnation, Madara severed his contract with the technique. Madara joined the battle with Tobi.

With the state of the war rapidly deteriorating, Kabuto used Mū to summon his trump card; Madara Uchiha. Mū led Madara to the battlefield to engage the Fourth Division. Taking control of Mū's body, Kabuto informs Madara of the new situation and informs the man of his supposedly enhanced power. To prove that his power is his own, Madara attacked the Fourth Division alone. When his fire techniques are countered by a group water techniques. Switching to close range, Madara defeated several shinobi before Ōnoki and Naruto's surprise attack forced Madara to activate his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and blocking his Susanoo. Despite this, the combined efforts of Gaara, Ōnoki, and Naruto forced him to activate his Rinnegan to absorb the powerful Rasenshuriken. Kabuto speculates that the Rinnegan was the natural evolution of the Sharingan and again informs Madara of his modifications. Madara again declared that the power was his and summoned a giant meteorite to obliterate the battlefield. As Gaara orders a full retreat, Ōnoki successfully slowed the meteorite, but Madara quickly summoned a second, levelling the battlefield and wiping out most of the Fourth Division.

As Madara and Mū regenerated and surveyed the carnage, Naruto's clone was protected by Dodai, while Ōnoki suffered great injury. Using this quiet moment to his advantage, Madara attempted to summon the Nine-Tails, but learns that it is still sealed within its jinchūriki Naruto. With the Nine-Tails denied to him, Madara attacked the survivors with Hashirama Senju's Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees. Before the Division could suffer any more damage, the Nine-Tails loaned Naruto enough chakra to counter Madara's Wood Release. With the clone's chakra almost spent, Ōnoki moves in to challenge Madara himself. Having felt the disturbance of caused by the meteorite, A and Tsunade used Mabui's Heavenly Transfer Technique and the Hokage Guard Platoon used the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport Mei Terumī to the battlefield to confront the legendary shinobi.

As Tsunade healed Ōnoki and Gaara, A and Mei go on the offensive against Madara while Dodai and the Hokage Guard Platoon fought Kabuto/Mū. A and Mei's offensive impressed Madara, who launched powerful offensive against the group, but stopped by a combination of Gaara's and Ōnoki's defences. Mei then obscured Madara's Rinnegan using the Hiding in Mist Technique, to allow Ōnoki to climb on A's back to lower his weight to make him faster, and increase it the weight of his fists to make him stronger. In doing so he incapacitated Mū with one powerful hit, followed by A punching through Madara's Susanoo, sending him flying a great distance away from the survivors. Wanting to use this opportunity, Naruto asked Tsunade to heal his clone as well. However, the Five Kage told Naruto that Madara is the Kage's battle and that he should focus his efforts on Tobi. The Kage continue their battle with Madara, discovering that Kabuto's main enhancement to Madara was the near complete fusion of Hashirama's cells into Madara's body. In doing so created what Madara to believe a living legend. Madara was able to use this enhanced power to poison the Five Kage at once, but they were saved from long lasting damage by Ōnoki's Dust Release.

Tsunade joined the offensive and with her added strength, seemed to overwhelm Madara giving Gaara enough time to seal him. However, they only sealed a wood clone, with the real Madara impaling Tsunade with Susanoo. To Madara's surprise, Tsunade snaps Susanoo's Sword and uses it to attack him. Madara rebuffs the attack with Yasaka Magatama, and notices that Tsunade's technique allows her to heal herself without hand-seals. Ōnoki attacks with his Dust Release, recalling how it destroyed Madara's shoulder earlier, but Madara simply uses the Rinnegan's power to absorb the technique, claiming that he only allowed himself to be hit earlier to show them Hashirama's face on his shoulder, to instil hopelessness in them, despite it only motivating them to fight. Tsunade taunts Madara that they had cornered him, forcing him to use a clone. Madara notes it's five against one, and Mei points out that they're not cowards, that going five against one shows they acknowledge his powers, that he is Madara Uchiha. Madara says he doesn't think them to be cowards, and creates twenty-five wood clones, five for each Kage and continued his assault.

Having beat four of the five Kage into a corner, Ōnoki's words of encouragement spurred the Kage into action. By throwing a massive wave of Dust Release and lightning-infused Water Release mixed with sand, they destroyed all of Madara's wood clones, and came close to sealing him, claiming this was the true power of the five Kage. Madara replied by revealing his Susanoo's perfect form. Then, to show how futile it was to fight him, Madara demonstrates his true power by destroying a mountain range with a single slash of his Susanoo sword. Just as he was about to strike the Kage with what was potentially a final blow, Susanoo disperses and Madara himself starts deconstructing. However, before being completely released from the Impure World Reincarnation, Madara revealed the he had released his contract with the technique, giving him an immortal body. However Madara has lost interest in the fight after having dispelled his perfect Susanoo, and refused to summon it again. Deciding instead to go after Naruto, Ōnoki blocks his path before the immortal could leave. The result of this battle is unknown, but Madara Uchiha was able to rendezvous with Tobi in his battle against the Allied Shinobi.

Battle against Tobi and the Six Paths 

Location: Land of Lightning

Combatants

Akatsuki: Tobi, the reincarnated jinchūriki (Yugito Nii, Yagura, Rōshi, Han, Utakata and Fū), Demonic Statue of the Outer Path (later), and Madara Uchiha (later).

Allied Shinobi Forces: Naruto Uzumaki, Killer B, Kakashi Hatake (later) and Might Guy (later).

Duration

Outcome: Ongoing. Son Gokū, Matatabi, Isobu, Chōmei, Saiken, Kokuō are resealed within the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Rōshi, Yugito Nii, Yagura, Fū, Utakata and Han are released from the Impure World Reincarnation and fade away. Naruto and B are injured. Tobi is injured and his mask is destroyed.

Instructed to win by the Five Kage, Naruto Uzumaki and Killer B intercept and confront Tobi directly, who was pursuing them with his Six Paths of Pain. Upon encountering, Tobi and Naruto head-butted each other, sending them both reeling. Tobi then orders his Paths to attack Naruto and B, who discover that the reincarnated jinchūrikihave access to all their powers in life, but enhanced by the power of the Sharingan and Rinnegan. Vowing the defeat the other Madara and this "masked Madara", Naruto swore he would tear his mask off and end his Eye of the Moon Plan. Tobi responded by having his Paths undergo partial transformations of their tailed beasts and continued his assault.

During B's offensive which Fū effortlessly dodged due to her shared sight, Naruto concludes that Tobi must be controlling his Paths the same way Nagato controlled his; chakra receivers embedded somewhere in their bodies. B having found one on Yugito while admiring her chest, led the two to believe that all the receivers were located on the jinchūriki's chests. Naruto attempted to destroy one such receiver in Rōshi's chest, but was stopped by Han, leading the Eight-Tails to advise them to do something about the dense forest obscuring their vision, being no determent to Tobi. B responds by transforming into the Eight-Tails and clearing the the area, forming a large barren battlefield. With the jinchūriki revealed, B attempted to restrain them while they removed the chakra receivers, but each exploded into their Version 2 forms, with Tobi commanding them to attack. With their enhanced powers, the six jinchūriki repel Naruto and B's offensive, leading to B getting wounded by a fully transformed Han and Naruto restrained by Yagura's attack. Using this to his advantage, Tobi dives onto B to grab and warp away Naruto before he is interrupted by Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy, who were observing the battle and waiting for Tobi to make himself vulnerable before attacking.

Using this opportunity, the Five-Tails attempted to attack Tobi as he was distracted, but was quickly subdued. This led to the Nine and Eight-Tails to start a discussion on their treatment while Kakashi and Guy deduced that Tobi will be unable to use the unique abilities of the Six Paths due to the difficulty of controlling the tailed beasts. With B still incapacitated, Kakashi and Guy hold off three of the jinchūriki after saving Naruto from being captured by Tobi. Tobi used this time to force Utakata and Rōshi to fully transform into their tailed beasts and the resulting confusion split the Allied Shinobi up. The Four-Tails flings B away and Naruto almost falls into the beast's mouth, before the Nine-Tails gave Naruto enough chakra to replenish Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Despite this, Naruto is forced into the beast's mouth, but instead finds himself within the Four-Tails' subconsciousness. Son Gokū, the Four-Tails, impressed by Naruto's desire to help the tailed beasts, gave Naruto the task of removing the chakra receiver from Rōshi's body which could save him. After filling Son with a large number of shadow clones which forces the beast to regurgitate him, he leaves a single shadow clone in Sage Mode inside the beast's mouth and finding the location of the receiver from the outside as well, Naruto forced the stake out of the beast's neck, but it did not result in Son Gokū's freedom. Further impressed by Naruto's genuine concern, he leaves Naruto a parting gift before Tobi is forced to reseal it back into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, leaving Rōshi incapacitated.

With one of his Paths defeated, Tobi forced the others to fully transform. As the Two, Three, Five, Six, and Seven-Tails move in to attack Kakashi and Guy, the Nine-Tails and Naruto make peace with each other, with Naruto melding his chakra with fox and declaring that him and Kurama were partners. In doing so, the tide of the battle dramatically turned as Naruto had full access to Kurama's power. Using his new Tailed Beast Mode, Naruto was able to overpower the other five tailed beasts and after once again diving into the subconscious of the tailed beasts, removed the stakes and forced Tobi to reseal all his thralled beasts back into the Demonic Statue. With his Six Paths defeated, Tobi moved in to fight personally. This information reached the Allied Shinobi HQ, who called for all available ninja to reinforce Naruto and B in their battle with the "masked Madara".

As time goes by the battle goes against Tobi, and is provoked by Naruto to reveal his true face. Tobi in response summons the stolen Treasured Tools of the Sage of the Six Paths, Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei containingKinkaku and Ginkaku (who possesses Kurama's chakra), and throws them into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, revealing the final two eyes have opened. After Kurama and B explains how Tobi managed to get a small portion of the remaining tailed beasts chakra, the Nine-Tails explains how it is enough to partially revive the Ten-Tails, and that their only chance of defeating it is now. When Tobi says that a partially revived Ten-Tails is all he needs to carry out the plan, Naruto enters Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and tries to attack the Statue. However he is blocked by the masked man's skilful use of his gunbai.

The Statue roars, cries tears of blood, and the grows even more protrusions from its back. Naruto and Guy fight Tobi, while Kakashi, with B's support went for the Statue using Kamui. However Tobi manages to somehow nullify Kakashi's technique, all the while fighting Naruto who used his chakra arms and the Super Mini-Tailed Beast Ball, and Guy who was using Sōshūga. Unfortunately for the Allied Shinobi Force ninja's, with a combination of Space–Time Migration and his gunbai, the masked man managed to defend himself and the Statue, even when Kakashi joined Naruto's and Guy's assault. But the Konoha's shinobi's attacks, while at first glance seem ineffective, even to them, are revealed to come to fruition when a crack appears on Tobi's mask. Based on that crack in the mask Kakashi came up with a theory regarding Tobi's ability. B tries too use this opening to attack the Statue but Tobi protects it with a barrier. Kakashi then comes up with a battle strategy to test his theory, having B launch them, Guy distract Tobi and Naruto attack with Rasengan. When the Rasengan somehow hit the masked man after Kamui was used on it, Kakashi then claims to understand Tobi's true ability.

After Kakashi explains how the masked man's technique works, Tobi briefly tries to convince the Konoha shinobi about his goal, and fails, before Naruto enters Tailed Beast Mode and charges at him. Naruto and Guy manages to snap Kakashi out of his depressing thoughts, and come up with a plan. While Tobi attacks with weapons stored in the other dimension, Naruto creates a Tailed Beast Ball that devastates the battlefield. Forced to retreat to the other dimension, Tobi finds that a clone of Naruto was waiting for him there, sent by Kakashi using Kamui, who promptly smashes the mysterious enemy's mask with a Rasengan. Kakashi, Naruto, and Guy discover that the man behind the mask is Obito Uchiha. His idenity being revealed hardly slowing him down, Obito opened to attack the Allied Shinobi, but was stopped by Naruto using Kurama's tails, just as Madara Uchiha entered the battlefield.

Battle of the Impure World Reincarnation Technique 

Location: Mountains' Graveyard

Combatants

Akatsuki: Kabuto Yakushi

Allied Shinobi Forces and Other: Itachi Uchiha (reincarnated through the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation) and Sasuke Uchiha (fighting under a temporary alliance with Itachi).

Duration

Manga: Chapter #578 to #589

Outcome: Kabuto Yakushi is trapped in a genjutsu and unable to fight. All reincarnated shinobi (except Madara Uchiha) released. Allied Shinobi Forces tactical victory.

After being freed from Kabuto's control, Itachi set off to find him and stop the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation technique that Kabuto was using. Itachi easily found Kabuto, but he was followed by Sasuke whom he met on the way. Though Kabuto tried to get Sasuke on his side, the young Uchiha chose to fight alongside his older brother. Knowing that Impure World Reincarnation wouldn't end if Kabuto died, Itachi chooses to defeat him without killing him, though despite this, Sasuke attacked at full force. However, Kabuto revealed that he has researched and modified techniques and abilities from the Hōzuki, Uzumaki and Jūgo's clans as well as trained insenjutsu at the Ryūchi Cave under the White Snake Sage, and have thus evolved from a "snake" into a "dragon". Kabuto starts by temporarily neutralising their senses, and then swoops in to capture Sasuke, but the younger Uchiha was saved by his brother. They tried to capture Kabuto with a plan that they used in the past, but though Sasuke managed to pin his snake-tail, the snake sage escaped, stabbing at Itachi's crow clone.

Kabuto tried to convince Sasuke to fight alongside him, telling him he knew the truth of the Uchiha clan massacreand sympathised with him. However Itachi decided to use one of the Sharingan's kinjutsu, Izanami, to force Kabuto to end the Impure World Reincarnation. The three continued their battle, with Kabuto now attempting to overwrite the Kotoamatsukami with a new talisman. Kabuto managed to push Sasuke and Itachi into a corner using the combined powers of the Sound Five implemented into his body. When he finally used his Orochimaruconstruct to close the distance and bisect Itachi, he attempted to place the talisman on the Uchiha, only to be stopped by Sasuke's fire technique. Before long, Kabuto noticed that the same series of events have happened with little variation in the outcome, realising that he has been caught in Izanami, which Itachi had begun casting after his crow clone was destroyed. As Kabuto's body remains motionless while his mind was trapped in an infinite loop, Itachi opened Kabuto's eyes and proceeds to cast another Sharingan genjutsu to compel Kabuto to reveal the hand seals needed to cancel Impure World Reincarnation and then had him execute the release. As a result, the army Kabuto assembled for Tobi fades away with the exception of the real Madara Uchiha, who severed his contract with the summoner to remain.