Naruto Columns
12/01/2022
[NARUTO 20th Anniversary Column] Retracing the NARUTO Anime's Ninja Way No.8: The Great Ninja War: Assailants From Afar Arc ~ The Great Ninja War: Sasuke and Itachi Arc
In this column, we'll be looking back at the NARUTO anime to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first broadcast on TV in Japan! Join this writer, a fellow fan from the NARUTO generation, as we retrace the series from its humble beginnings to its climactic conclusion! This article picks up the story starting from The Great Ninja War: Assailants From Afar arc, which covers the second day of the Fourth Great Ninja War!
Naruto Arrives on the Battlefield! The Great Ninja War: Assailants From Afar Arc!
After earning the Raikage's approval, Naruto and Bee hurry off to the front lines!
At the same time, the masked man who calls himself Madara leads a new Six Paths of Pain created from reanimated Jinchuriki to the battlefield as well.
Naruto is able to pick out the White Zetsu who have disguised themselves as members of the Allied Shinobi Forces, and unleashes countless new jutsu using the Nine Tails' chakra to wipe out the enemies before rushing off once again to aid his comrades fighting elsewhere!
In one of the main warzones, Gaara and Ohnoki partner up as powerful enemies emerge.
Four previous Kage stand before them, all powerful leaders who carved their names into the history of their respective villages.
Four previous Kage stand before them, all powerful leaders who carved their names into the history of their respective villages.
The Third Raikage, the Second Tsuchikage, the Fourth Kazekage, and the Second Mizukage.
Massive waves of sand and gold dust crash into each other, blotting out the sky, and Ohnoki and the Second Tsuchikage's Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu obliterate their surroundings!
Massive waves of sand and gold dust crash into each other, blotting out the sky, and Ohnoki and the Second Tsuchikage's Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu obliterate their surroundings!
It is a truly fitting start to this clash between some of the finest shinobi the ninja world has ever seen!!
Gaara makes use of his large-scale sand ninjutsu to capture the late Kage. Now unable to move, his father, the Fourth Kazekage, begins to reveal the secrets of their past.
He reveals the truth about Gaara's mother, Karura. She dearly loved her son, and the sand that has always protected Gaara is imbued with the power she left behind after her passing.
Torn between his position as the village's leader and his feelings as a father, the Fourth Kazekage was forced to make many difficult choices—including some he now regrets.
Torn between his position as the village's leader and his feelings as a father, the Fourth Kazekage was forced to make many difficult choices—including some he now regrets.
Gaara seals his father after finally receiving the "medicine" he needed to heal the wounds in his heart: the love of his parents.
He also attempts to seal the Second Mizukage and the Third Raikage, but due to how the Reanimation Jutsu is programmed, the jutsu is automatically countered, and the two Kage resume battle!
He also attempts to seal the Second Mizukage and the Third Raikage, but due to how the Reanimation Jutsu is programmed, the jutsu is automatically countered, and the two Kage resume battle!
The Two Trailblazers!
As Naruto and Bee continue toward the battlefield, they cross paths with the reanimated Itachi and Nagato!
Both men are pleased to see how much the young ninja has grown, but Kabuto cuts their happy reunion short by forcing the two to unleash world-class ninjutsu on Naruto and Bee.
As the two Jinchuriki struggle to fight against the powerful duo of Itachi and Nagato, a crow suddenly bursts out of Naruto's mouth?!
This crow, planted in Naruto by Itachi during their last encounter before he died, has his sworn ally Shisui's powerful genjutsu "Koto Amatsukami" embedded in its eye!
This genjutsu overwrites Kabuto's Reanimation Jutsu, allowing Itachi to free himself from its control!
This genjutsu overwrites Kabuto's Reanimation Jutsu, allowing Itachi to free himself from its control!
However, Kabuto takes full control of Nagato, and uses all the powerful jutsu he possesses to corner Naruto and Bee!
Itachi manages to get them out of hot water, but Nagato activates his ultimate ninjutsu, "Planetary Devastation"!
Just as all seems lost, Itachi concocts a plan to escape the jutsu after hearing Naruto recount his previous experience with it.
Just as all seems lost, Itachi concocts a plan to escape the jutsu after hearing Naruto recount his previous experience with it.
Naruto, Itachi, and Bee all use their most powerful long-range ninjutsu to destroy the core of the Planetary Devastation before they can be dragged into it!
After the jutsu breaks, Itachi presses their advantage, piercing Nagato with the Totsuka Blade!
"THE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF A SERIES DEPENDS ON THE THIRD AND FINAL VOLUME!
NARUTO! YOU MUST BE THE MASTERPIECE THAT FINISHES THIS TRILOGY AND IS SO AMAZING THAT NO ONE REMEMBERS THE WASTE THAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE...THE WASTE THAT WAS ME!"
As Nagato entrusts his fellow disciple to carry on his will once again, he is sealed.
"BEING HOKAGE IS NOT ABOUT SUDDENLY BEING RECOGNIZED IN YOUR VILLAGE, NARUTO.
ONLY THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY RECOGNIZED AND ADMIRED WILL EVER BECOME HOKAGE.
NEVER FORGET YOUR FRIENDS."
Itachi takes the task of stopping the Reanimation Jutsu off Naruto's hands and sets off toward Kabuto, allowing Naruto and Bee to focus on supporting their comrades on the battlefield!
Naruto Finally Arrives!!
Gaara and Ohnoki are still struggling against the peerless strength of the former Tsuchikage when Naruto rushes in to provide support!
Gaara and Naruto are able to instantly coordinate with each other to send the Second Tsuchikage, Mu, flying! Ohnoki's follows up with an attack that seals the former Kage, and the three members of the Allied Shinobi Forces head off together to assist their allies elsewhere!!
Temari spearheads the battle with the Third Raikage.
The match-up requires strong wind-style users, and Naruto arrives not a moment too soon!
The match-up requires strong wind-style users, and Naruto arrives not a moment too soon!
While Naruto's diversionary tactics enable him to land a hit on the Third Raikage with his Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken, the legendary ninja's resilient body is able to withstand the attack.
Connecting to Bee's mind with the aid of the Intel Unit, Naruto speaks directly to the Eight Tails, who has first-hand experience fighting the late Raikage, in order to find a way to combat the man's impenetrable physique.
Testing a theory he formulated from a clue picked up during this exchange, Naruto gambles everything on a risky, all-or-nothing attack—and comes out triumphant!
Gaara and Ohnoki have joined the battle against the Second Mizukage, but their fighting styles are ill-suited to combat him. Facing a tactical disadvantage and still exhausted from their earlier fight, they soon find themselves in a tight spot.
Despite all this, Gaara pushes through, using the power and love left to him by his parents to overcome the Mizukage's ultimate jutsu!
Having enjoyed his all-out battle with the shinobi of the current age, the Second Mizukage smiles contentedly as he is captured and sealed.
The War's Masterminds Come Out to Fight! The Great Ninja War: Sasuke and Itachi Arc!
After the defeat of the reanimated Kage, Naruto continues to use his Shadow Clones to support the Allied Shinobi Forces in the remaining conflict zones!
Eradicating the disguised White Zetsu and incapacitating countless reanimated shinobi, he begins to turn the tide of the war!
Eradicating the disguised White Zetsu and incapacitating countless reanimated shinobi, he begins to turn the tide of the war!
But then... A figure who appears to be a reanimated Madara Uchiha arrives!!
As confusion over the masked man claiming to be Madara and the "real" Madara before them spreads within the Allied Shinobi Forces, the legendary Uchiha waltzes onto the battlefield.
Episode 542 shows the unimaginable power Madara wields and is packed with amazing battle scenes!
His artistic fighting style transcends human limitations to create a truly divine performance!
His artistic fighting style transcends human limitations to create a truly divine performance!
Even with Naruto and the Allied Shinobi Forces' fiery tenacity, their attacks are easily dismissed by Madara, who proceeds to bring a gargantuan meteorite down upon their heads!!
"IT'S STILL TOO EARLY TO GIVE UP!
NEVER GIVE UP WITHOUT EVEN TRYING!"
Even with Naruto and the Allied Shinobi Forces' fiery tenacity, their attacks are easily dismissed by Madara, who proceeds to bring a gargantuan meteorite down upon their heads!!
The ally shinobi are decimated, and Ohnoki himself is severely injured.
Madara also showcases his ability to use the unique wood style ninjutsu of the First Hokage, Hashirama.
Defeat seems inevitable, but seeing a worn-out Naruto take on Madara alone inspires Ohnoki to stand up and fight once more despite his wounds!
Defeat seems inevitable, but seeing a worn-out Naruto take on Madara alone inspires Ohnoki to stand up and fight once more despite his wounds!
"I HAVE A CHANCE AT RECLAMATION.
I'VE STILL GOT ENOUGH ENERGY LEFT FOR THAT!"
"I WILL HELP YOU RECLAIM YOURSELF."
Gaara also stands, lending his strength to support Ohnoki's resolve.
The other Kage learn of the dire situation and waste no time rushing to the battlefield.
The other Kage learn of the dire situation and waste no time rushing to the battlefield.
"WHO'D HAVE EVER BELIEVED THE DAY WOULD COME…
WHEN ALL FIVE KAGE UNITED TOGETHER IN BATTLE?!!"
All five Kage have assembled!!
Joining forces, they prepare to face Madara Uchiha together!!
Joining forces, they prepare to face Madara Uchiha together!!
"I GIVE YOU THESE WORDS FROM THE FIVE KAGE...
WE SHALL WIN!!!"
The Five Kage swear to achieve victory, entrusting Naruto with the task of defeating the "other" Madara—the masked man—and the reanimated Jinchuriki he leads.
Clash of the Jinchuriki!
The masked man controls the hosts of six Tailed Beasts: the Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Seven Tails!
The Jinchuriki each possess one Sharigan and one Rinnegan, further augmenting their power. Undeterred, Naruto and Killer Bee face this challenge head-on!
The Jinchuriki each possess one Sharigan and one Rinnegan, further augmenting their power. Undeterred, Naruto and Killer Bee face this challenge head-on!
"EIGHT TAILS, THAT BE ME,
DA RAPPIN' KILLER BEE!!
WHEEEEEE――――――――!!!!"
Using his Tailed Beast Transformation, Bee blows away the surrounding landscape as well as his enemies, creating an open battleground.
He seems to have the upper hand, but then the six reanimated Jinchuriki also transform!!
He seems to have the upper hand, but then the six reanimated Jinchuriki also transform!!
Kakashi and Guy arrive in the nick of time to save Naruto from the masked man's attack!
The odds are still looking grim, but after hearing the Eight Tails' words and listening in on Naruto and the Four Tails' conversation, the cantankerous Nine Tails begins to have a change of heart...
"NARUTO... IF YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY SERIOUS...
AND TRULY WISH TO DO SOMETHING FOR US BIJU...
THEN JUST DO AS YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE...
PROVE IT THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS!!
THAT'S WHO YOU ARE!!!"
Naruto manages to stop the Four Tails, but the remaining five Jinchuriki have completed their Tailed Beast Transformations!
The nine-tailed fox, Kurama, chooses this moment to take a stand alongside his Jinchuriki.
Naruto and the Nine Tails fight as one!
The nine-tailed fox, Kurama, chooses this moment to take a stand alongside his Jinchuriki.
Naruto and the Nine Tails fight as one!
"YOU'RE NO LONGER... THE DEMON FOX...
YOU ARE THE PARTNER OF A CITIZEN OF KONOHAGAKURE VILLAGE...
...KURAMA!
NOW LET'S DO THIS!!!"
Naruto and Kurama's combined strength dominates the battlefield as they blow away five Tailed Beast Bombs at once!
It's an epic battle of Tailed Beasts! The ground is split and the air itself shatters in the face of their' unbelievable attacks!
Naruto is attempting to remove the rods being used to control the transformed Jinchuriki when he finds himself transported to a spiritual plane inhabited by their minds.
Naruto is attempting to remove the rods being used to control the transformed Jinchuriki when he finds himself transported to a spiritual plane inhabited by their minds.
There, he is able to speak with the five remaining Jinchuriki as well as their respective Tailed Beasts.
They entrust Naruto with their true names—and their united will.
They entrust Naruto with their true names—and their united will.
Naruto pulls out all the rods at once, successfully removing the Tailed Beasts from the battlefield!
Having stripped the masked man of his pawns, Naruto, Bee, Kakashi, and Guy prepare to challenge him together!
Sasuke, On the Move!
"HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN, NARUTO...?
WHAT TRUE STRENGTH IS...?
IT'S TIME FOR ME TO FIND YOU.
IT'S TIME TO FINALLY CUT YOU DOWN!!"
Undetected by the opposing armies, Sasuke begins to stir.
After learning that Naruto is the focal point of the ongoing war, the young Uchiha heads for the front lines himself.
After learning that Naruto is the focal point of the ongoing war, the young Uchiha heads for the front lines himself.
However, while en route he chances across someone he never dreamed he'd see again—his deceased older brother, Itachi!!
The Resolve of the Five Kage
A fierce battle unfolds as the current Five Kage band together to face the resurrected Madara!
The fearsome Uchiha brings the First Hokage's wood style jutsu to bear against the combined might of the Kage!!
After using the Wood Style: Deep Forest Bloom jutsu to cover the surrounding area in trees, he continues his offensive with Susano'o and a fire style attack!
After using the Wood Style: Deep Forest Bloom jutsu to cover the surrounding area in trees, he continues his offensive with Susano'o and a fire style attack!
Madara declares that his first target will be Hashirama's granddaughter, Tsunade, but even in the face of this legendary menace, the leaders of the present do not falter.
"MY TRUE POWER LIES IN THE WILL OF FIRE!!"
The 100 Healings Jutsu Tsunade has built up over many years is released!!
Ohnoki and Ay join forces to smash Susano'o!!
Tsunade's fist lands a devastating blow on Madara himself!!
The Five Kage prevail! But their victory is fleeting, as Madara—not yet defeated—impales Tsunade on his blade.
Brothers, United
Meanwhile, Sasuke continues chasing after Itachi while peppering him with questions, and the two eventually arrive at Kabuto's lair.
Having hunted down the snake-like shinobi, Itachi intends to force him to divulge the secret to releasing the Reanimation Jutsu.
Sasuke agrees to assist with this in exchange for Itachi's assurance that they'll talk once the battle is over.
Having hunted down the snake-like shinobi, Itachi intends to force him to divulge the secret to releasing the Reanimation Jutsu.
Sasuke agrees to assist with this in exchange for Itachi's assurance that they'll talk once the battle is over.
"THIS TIME, FOR SURE—I'M HOLDING YOU TO YOUR PROMISE!"
"THEY SAY YOU TAKE YOUR PERSONALITY WITH YOU TO THE GRAVE...
THEN AGAIN, I'VE ALREADY DIED ONCE...
I PLAN TO HONOR IT."
The brothers fight side-by-side, working together for the first time in many years!
Itachi and Sasuke both use Susano'o, but Kabuto responds to this formidable combination by revealing his ability to use Sage Mode!
Using the advantages granted by his snake characteristics, he attempts to turn the tables on the Uchiha!
Using the advantages granted by his snake characteristics, he attempts to turn the tables on the Uchiha!
But Itachi and Sasuke are far from defeated.
The brothers launch a joint attack strategy they developed when hunting together as boys!
The brothers launch a joint attack strategy they developed when hunting together as boys!
And Itachi reveals that he has completed the preparations for a certain technique!
"AN ULTIMATE OCULAR JUTSU THAT HOLDS HIS FATE WITHIN ITS GRASP...
THE IZANAMI!!"
The Izanami locks Kabuto's mind within an endless loop, which allows Itachi to easily extract the information necessary to undo the Reanimation Jutsu, fulfilling the promise he made to Naruto.
Destruction Incarnate: The Perfect Susano'o!!
Even after being run through, Tsunade stands back up, and continues the desperate struggle against Madara along with the other Kage.
However, their efforts seem doomed to fail when Madara creates 25 wood clones—each able to wield Susano'o—reversing the advantage in numbers previously held by the Kage!
However, their efforts seem doomed to fail when Madara creates 25 wood clones—each able to wield Susano'o—reversing the advantage in numbers previously held by the Kage!
"GET UP... MY FELLOW KAGE!!
WE FIGHT A BATTLE TO THE END! NO WHINING! NO COMPLAINING!!
WE CAN'T BETRAY THE TRUST OF ALL OUR BROTHERS!
BE WORTHY OF THE TITLE OF KAGE!!!"
The eldest Kage, Ohnoki, bolsters his comrades' morale, and together they aim for victory!!
Determined to fight to the bitter end, the five shinobi strategically integrate their attacks, forcing Madara to change his cavalier tune and engage them with his full power.
Madara's Perfect Susano'o descends on the battlefield in all its glory, an avatar of destruction that wreaks catastrophic damage with a single swing of its sword.
In the presence of this god-like force, the Kage seem mere ants to be trampled. But when all seems lost—
"EDOTENSEI JUTSU... RELEASE!!"
—Itachi unravels the Reanimation Jutsu.
Light emanates from the deceased shinobi scattered about each battlefield, returning them to the realm from whence they were summoned.
Light emanates from the deceased shinobi scattered about each battlefield, returning them to the realm from whence they were summoned.
"YOU DON'T EVER HAVE TO FORGIVE ME...
...AND NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO FROM HERE ON OUT KNOW THIS...
I WILL LOVE YOU ALWAYS."
Itachi finally reveals to Sasuke both the true story of his life, and the true extent of his love.
After bearing witness to his brother's last moments for a second time, Sasuke stops to think for himself about the path he ought to take going forward.
After bearing witness to his brother's last moments for a second time, Sasuke stops to think for himself about the path he ought to take going forward.
He reunites with Suigetsu and Jugo, and tells them what course he has decided on: the revival of Orochimaru!!
Sasuke sets out in search of "The All-Knowing", hoping the information they possess will better equip him to evaluate the nature of the world—and his place in it.
Back on the battlefield, the Five Kage are seeing a disturbing anomaly...
While the other reanimated shinobi disappear along with the dissolution of Kabuto's jutsu, Madara is able to rescind the summoning contract from his own end, freeing him of its restraints and allowing him to remain in the land of the living!
While the other reanimated shinobi disappear along with the dissolution of Kabuto's jutsu, Madara is able to rescind the summoning contract from his own end, freeing him of its restraints and allowing him to remain in the land of the living!
The Mask Shatters
Naruto, Bee, Kakashi, and Guy are still locked in combat with the masked man and the Gedo Statue!!
Running out of patience as the battle drags on, the mysterious shinobi attempts to revive the Ten Tails in spite of only having a small portion of the Eight and Nine Tails' chakra!!
Running out of patience as the battle drags on, the mysterious shinobi attempts to revive the Ten Tails in spite of only having a small portion of the Eight and Nine Tails' chakra!!
Committed to preventing the legendary beast's return at any cost, Naruto and his allies stay on the offensive.
Their elusive enemy continues to "slip through" every attack, until something manages to put a scratch on his mask!
Their elusive enemy continues to "slip through" every attack, until something manages to put a scratch on his mask!
This tiny detail gives Kakashi an idea.
He tries sending Naruto's Rasengan into the space-time of his Kamui...
He tries sending Naruto's Rasengan into the space-time of his Kamui...
...and lands their first direct hit on the masked man!!
It appears that somehow, Kakashi's Kamui and their opponent's teleportation ability are linked!
With this pivotal secret laid bare, the four work together, carrying out a combined assault to create an opportunity for Naruto to strike!
It appears that somehow, Kakashi's Kamui and their opponent's teleportation ability are linked!
With this pivotal secret laid bare, the four work together, carrying out a combined assault to create an opportunity for Naruto to strike!
"WHO...
...ARE YOU?!!"
His Rasengan finds its target, and the mask shatters.
The man behind it is revealed to be none other than Kakashi's childhood friend, believed to have died in battle long ago...
Obito Uchiha!!
Obito Uchiha!!
Kakashi and Guy are shaken at this unexpected reunion with their long-lost comrade, but Obito himself appears indifferent, promptly resuming his attack after a brief exchange of words.
To make matters worse, Madara arrives on the scene, having left the Five Kage bloody and broken...
As they stand on the chaotic battlefield, Madara and Obito begin to talk, and the history they share is revealed.
To make matters worse, Madara arrives on the scene, having left the Five Kage bloody and broken...
As they stand on the chaotic battlefield, Madara and Obito begin to talk, and the history they share is revealed.
A World of Dreams
After being crushed by a boulder, Obito awakes and meets an elderly man who claims to be the same Madara who was present at the time of the Hidden Leaf's founding.
Nearing the end of his exceptionally long life, the elderly Uchiha treats Obito's injuries with the intention of using the boy to further his own ambitions.
Nearing the end of his exceptionally long life, the elderly Uchiha treats Obito's injuries with the intention of using the boy to further his own ambitions.
A few years have passed when Obito is suddenly told that Kakashi and Rin are in grave danger!
Borrowing Zetsu's power, he rushes to their aid, unprepared for the traumatic sight that awaits.
"I GET IT...
I'M...
...IN HELL."
Kakashi, the very friend Obito entrusted with his beloved Rin's protection, has taken her life instead.
Devastated by this hellish reality, Obito resolves to aid Madara in his quest to create a "world of dreams".
Devastated by this hellish reality, Obito resolves to aid Madara in his quest to create a "world of dreams".
"RIN... LET'S...
LET'S CREATE A WORLD WHERE YOU EXIST AGAIN."
"STARTING TODAY, YOU SHALL BE THE SAVIOR."
And so Obito inherits Madara's will and ambitions.
Donning a mask, he lives steeped in the darkness of the shinobi world, taking on the mantle of the legendary Uchiha.
Donning a mask, he lives steeped in the darkness of the shinobi world, taking on the mantle of the legendary Uchiha.
"I AM UCHIHA MADARA."
That's all for this time!
The next article will be published on December 8th (JST) and start from The Great Ninja War: Team 7 Returns arc, which features the climax of the Fourth Great Ninja War! I hope you're looking forward to it!
The next article will be published on December 8th (JST) and start from The Great Ninja War: Team 7 Returns arc, which features the climax of the Fourth Great Ninja War! I hope you're looking forward to it!
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