Volumes 51–60

Complete listed story — includes the ending

Naruto, Volume 51

Chapter 474
Sai 's ink clone tells Naruto about Konoha 's resolution to personally eliminate Sasuke. Although Sakura agrees, she could not bring herself to tell Naruto and forbade her escorts from bringing it up. Sai speculates that, due to Sakura's feelings for Sasuke, she plans to kill him herself to not only repent for relying on Naruto for so long, but to make sure Sasuke doesn't sink any lower on the path of darkness. Naruto contemplates all of this, but is interrupted by the arrival of Gaara, who tells them what happened at the Kage Summit, including the actions of Sasuke. Gaara encourages Naruto to give up on Sasuke if he truly wishes to become Hokage. Elsewhere, Tobi confronts Danzō as he returns to Konoha.

Chapter 475
Gaara leaves the Konoha ninja. Before he goes he informs Kakashi that he and the other Kage will treat Kakashi as the new Hokage because of Danzō 's actions, and while he repeats his personal recommendation for Naruto to give up on Sasuke, he also advises him to think and do what he thought was right for himself at least. Elsewhere, Danzō prepares for a battle with Tobi. While he does so, Fū Yamanaka and Torune Aburame fight Tobi, but are unable to land a blow. They try to hit him at a time when he is solid, but their attacks pass through him and they are ultimately warped away. With them gone, Tobi brings Sasuke and Karin to Danzō, offering to let Sasuke kill him. Danzō accepts the challenge, revealing an arm filled with Sharingan.

Chapter 476
Kakashi prepares to chase after Sakura, knowing that she is currently no match for Sasuke. As Naruto thinks about everything everyone has told him about Sasuke, he begins to hyperventilate and passes out. Elsewhere, Sasuke asks Danzō if it is true that Konoha ordered Itachi to kill the Uchiha clan. Danzō attacks him but is caught by Sasuke's Susanoo. Danzō admits it, then curses Itachi for putting so much importance in Sasuke, even going so far as telling Sasuke a secret that he was supposed to die with. Sasuke crushes him in anger. Despite his apparent death, Danzō appears behind Sasuke and offers to end their conversation.

Chapter 477
Sasuke tries attacking Danzō with Susanoo again. Danzō once again appears to die, only to appear elsewhere unharmed. Even Amaterasu does not seem to affect him. Tobi and Karin study his actions to try and determine what he is doing, eventually noticing that the Sharingan eyes on Danzō's arms steadily close. Danzō congratulates Sasuke for, with his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, earning the status as Itachi 's brother. Sasuke is enraged by Danzō mentioning Itachi and only becomes more determined to kill him. After surviving additional attacks, Danzō is faced by Itachi.

Chapter 478
Danzō recognises Itachi as a product of Sasuke 's genjutsu, though it's vastly inferior to the older brother's Tsukuyomi. He restrains Sasuke and tells him as much, which makes Sasuke angry enough to finally complete his Susanoo. Susanoo fires an arrow at Danzō, who is forced to use the Wood Release abilities that he gained from the implanted DNA of Hashirama to avoid the attack. Since this means he would have died, Sasuke assumes Danzō is now vulnerable and attacks again, only for him to once again survive the attack after seeming to die. Tobi conduces that Danzō is using Izanagi.

Chapter 479
Sasuke continues to attack Danzō, who, after using Izanagi — an illusion that completely alters one's reality at the cost of the caster's Sharingan — to survive the attacks, tries to kill Sasuke before he runs out of Sharingan. Once down to his last Sharingan, Danzō clashes blades with Sasuke in a final attempt to finish each other off. They stab each other.

Chapter 480
With both Sasuke and Danzō wounded, the battle is over. Although Danzō believes Izanagi protected him from harm, thus making him the victor, he finds that he has been hurt; Sasuke used a genjutsu to make it look like Izanagi was still active. Karin heals Sasuke's wounds. Badly injured, Danzō loses control of the First Hokage 's DNA that allows him to use Wood Release and he is forced to remove his arm. Determined not to lose, Danzō takes Karin hostage to buy his escape. Although Karin thinks that Sasuke will try to save her, Sasuke instead stabs through Karin, fatally wounding both her and Danzō.

Chapter 481
Karin collapses. Danzō staggers towards Sasuke and Tobi, thinking about how he could never reach the same level as Hiruzen Sarutobi, namely by becoming Hokage. He settles for dying with honour just as Hiruzen did by trying to take Sasuke and Tobi with him. They escape his last attack and Sasuke expresses his desires to continue on to Konoha. As Sakura nears Sasuke's location, she tries to incapacitate her escorts so that she can face him alone, but is stopped by Sai.

Chapter 482
Naruto wakes up and learns that Kakashi has gone to stop Sakura. He tries to follow, but is stopped by Yamato. Naruto accepts that he cannot go and asks to rest some more, but only takes the opportunity to sneak out. Elsewhere, Sakura manages to knock out Sai and her other escorts. Sai is able to inform Kakashi of her success before passing out. Meanwhile, Tobi advises Sasuke not to go to Konoha since his eyes are on the verge of blindness. He adds that it would be a good idea to finish off Karin. Tobi leaves and Sasuke prepares to kill Karin. He is interrupted by Sakura, who asks to join forces with him.

Chapter 483
Sakura tries to convince Sasuke to let her accompany him, even if it means destroying Konoha. He agrees if she will finish off Karin. Sakura approaches her and tries to come up with a good way to kill Sasuke, but Karin alerts her to Sasuke's own attempts to kill her. She is saved by Kakashi. Kakashi, as Sasuke's teacher, offers to kill him so that Sakura doesn't need to and to redeem himself for not stopping the situation sooner, remembering how Hiruzen had to do the same with Orochimaru. Sakura heals Karin while Kakashi makes one last attempt to convince Sasuke to give up on revenge. He refuses, so they prepare for battle.

Naruto, Volume 52

Chapter 484
Sasuke attacks Kakashi with Susanoo, which Kakashi blocks with Kamui. Sasuke lashes out at Kakashi for his use of the Sharingan, evidence that Konoha continues to profit from the Uchiha clan 's demise. Sasuke promises to make him and the rest of the village pay for that, just as Danzō has. His hatred causes Susanoo to progress to a new level. It dissipates immediately afterwards, Sasuke's eyes finally succumbing to blindness. Sensing this, Sakura sneaks up on Sasuke and tries to kill him. She cannot bring herself to strike him, but Sasuke does not have the same reluctance. Because he used Kamui, Kakashi cannot reach her in time. She is instead saved by Naruto.

Chapter 485
Naruto asks how Sasuke could bring himself to try to kill a fellow member of Team 7. Sasuke reminds him that he has broken those ties. Naruto tells Sasuke that he is aware of what Itachi went through at that he understands why Sasuke has done what he has, but Sasuke insists that Naruto cannot, having never had a family. Kakashi instructs Naruto and Sakura to go back to Konoha while he deals with Sasuke, but Naruto restrains him instead. Sasuke takes this opportunity to try and kill Kakashi. His Chidori is blocked by Naruto's Rasengan. Naruto states that he is glad he met Sasuke, as he could easily have turned out just like Sasuke. Sasuke points out that Naruto has only two options: kill him or die. Naruto rejects both.

Chapter 486
Naruto and Sasuke are flung apart. Kakashi catches Naruto and Zetsu cushions Sasuke. Zetsu recalls Tobi, who advises Sasuke to retreat. Sasuke refuses until he can hear Naruto's answer about their fates. Naruto claims that they have reached a point where they are the only ones capable of fighting the other. If and when that happens, they will both die. Since they are friends, Naruto will bear Sasuke's hatred until then and eventually die for it. Sasuke accepts his conclusion, but promises that Naruto will be the only one to die when that day comes.

Chapter 487
Sakura and Kakashi accept Naruto 's request to be responsible for Sasuke. Kakashi tries to use Kamui on Tobi to remove at least one threat, but Tobi tells him it would be useless. After he leaves with Tobi, Sasuke requests Itachi 's eyes, needing them if he is to regain his sight and inevitably defeat Naruto, the only way to prove him wrong. The other members of Team 7 collect Karin and head back to Konoha. Meanwhile, Killer B returns to Kumogakure with the Fourth Raikage and Samehada, a souvenir from his battle with Kisame. Nobody realises that Kisame is hiding within Samehada, having faked his death with the help of Zetsu. Kabuto, having got used to Orochimaru 's powers, kills three Taki shinobi and decides to make his move.

Chapter 488
The daimyō of the Five Great Shinobi Countries agree to the formation of the Shinobi Alliance, something the Kage learn of upon their return to their respective villages. Team 7 resuscitates Sakura 's escorts and heads back to Konoha. Naruto assures the members of Team 8, Team 10, and Team Guy that he can handle Sasuke before going to Ramen Ichiraku. Kakashi also informs the Konoha Council of Danzō 's death and consents to being selected as Hokage. He meets with the Fire Daimyō to make the appointment official, but they are interrupted by news that Tsunade has woken up from her coma. The proceedings end.

Chapter 489
As Tsunade eats to regain her energy after coming out of a coma, Kakashi thanked her for waking up in time to stop him from becoming Hokage; a position he claimed he wasn't cut out for. He briefed her on the outbreak of war and everything else that happened while she was in her coma. After lamenting that the Uchiha's Curse of Hatred still plagued them even now. She later convenes a war council to discuss how the village will proceed. After being informed by Sakura that Tsunade had woken up, Naruto celebrates Tsunade's recovery at Ramen Ichiraku when he is summoned to Mount Myōboku. Per Jiraiya 's instructions, Gerotora stores himself in Naruto effectively giving him the key to the Nine-Tails ' seal. Elsewhere, Kabuto, having finally formed a symbiosis with Orochimaru 's remains, confronts Tobi. He reincarnates all the members of Akatsuki as incentive for Tobi to accept an alliance.

Chapter 490
In exchange for joining forces, Kabuto requests that Tobi give him Sasuke. He reincarnates someone to force Tobi to agree. Tobi tells Kabuto that he can have Sasuke once the war is over. They make plans for the battles ahead. Anko, having been led there by a trail of bodies left by Kabuto, relays Tobi's location to Konoha. At Mount Myōboku, Naruto considers what to do with the key to the Nine-Tails ' seal. Although Jiraiya wanted him to use it to gain control of the fox's power, it is easier said than done. Knowing he will need its power if he is to defeat Sasuke, Naruto accepts that he cannot put it off any longer.

Chapter 491
Naruto returns to the Ramen Ichiraku. Two Konoha ninja ask for his autograph, but he doesn't know how to respond. Three days later the Kage meet again to discuss how they should start pooling their resources. As the first matter of business, Naruto and Killer B are to be given constant protection. Tsunade objects since they would both be invaluable in the war with Akatsuki, but is forced to agree. Naruto and B are sent to a secret island in the Land of Lightning, the only country that has yet to have any connections to Akatsuki. Naruto witnesses B's control over the Eight-Tails firsthand soon after arriving, and decides to seek his help in taming the Nine-Tails.

Chapter 492
Naruto and his Konoha bodyguards disembark on the Land of Lightning Island. Naruto approaches Killer B and asks for his help in learning to control a tailed beast. B initially appears uninterested, so Naruto tries to sell him on the idea by acting like him. In doing so he accidentally insults B, so B refuses. Naruto asks Motoi, the island's caretaker, how he can convince B, claiming that B is too conceited. Motoi grows angry by Naruto's accusations, but lets it go. He tells Naruto that B probably had his reasons and directs him to the Falls of Truth. He tells Naruto to enter the falls to face his inner self. A "dark Naruto" confronts him, asking why he didn't humour the earlier, "shallow" Konoha villagers with autographs.

Chapter 493
Naruto tries to defeat his "inner darkness", the product of his lonely childhood and the lone obstacle in his efforts to tame the Nine-Tails. They are equally matched, so the fight does not go anywhere. Since this is an internal struggle, Naruto returns his attention to the real world and asks Motoi how Killer B overcame the evil in his heart but Motoi couldn't. Naruto then requests that Motoi ask B, however, Motoi, weighed down by the guilt of having once tried to kill B stated once again that he could not. He then offers to tell Naruto about B's background so that maybe Naruto could find the answer himself.

Chapter 494
The Eight-Tails had long been a problem for Kumogakure; the village constantly tried to gain control of its power, but when its previous jinchūriki would fail to contain it the village would suffer heavy casualties. Loved ones of those who died would come to hate the Eight-Tails and its jinchūriki, just as Motoi came to hate Killer B. Although they were friends, Motoi once tried to kill B, but ultimately could not. He nevertheless felt ashamed, something that became more pronounced as the years went by and B became a village hero. Motoi has long feared that B knew of his attempts on his life and hates him for it. Soon after telling this story to Naruto, Motoi's life is saved by B, who in fact did not know and doesn't actually care. Naruto is happy to see them reform their friendship.

Naruto, Volume 53

Chapter 495
Naruto confronts Dark Naruto again. Naruto defeats him by accepting the darkness within himself. After Naruto awakens, Killer B leads him to a cave behind the Falls of Truth. B states that Naruto will fight the Nine-Tails inside the temple-like structure.

Chapter 496
Killer B leads Naruto, and Yamato to a secret room inside the temple where the Nine-Tails will be kept in the event that it escapes. As Naruto releases the fox from its seal, B tells Naruto that he needs to use his own chakra to pull out the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Chapter 497
The Nine-Tails attacks Naruto with its Tailed Beast Ball, which B blocked using the last bit of the Eight-Tails ' power he could manifest within Naruto. Naruto uses this as a distraction to enter Sage Mode and attacks the beast. After a combination of shadow clones and a Rasenshuriken attack on the fox, the Nine-Tails is left vulnerable and Naruto begins to pull out its chakra. The Nine-Tails' hatred begins to seep into the chakra, causing Naruto to become consumed by it. When Naruto is almost overwhelmed by the fox's hatred, Kushina Uzumaki appears.

Chapter 498
When Naruto meets his mother, Kushina, in his subconscious, he at first thinks that she is the Nine-Tails ' true form, which causes Kushina to angrily clobber Naruto on the head. She apologises to Naruto for her short temper and expresses her hope that Naruto had not inherited that from her, along with her verbal tic. Picking on this, when Naruto realises who Kushina is, he hugs her and cries with joy, his overflowing happiness, neutralising the Nine Tails' hatred. The Nine-Tails is shocked when it recognises Kushina's chakra when she restrains it with her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Naruto wants to know how Kushina and his father met, to which she bashfully tells him. After telling her story, Kushina tells Naruto that she loves him, much to his surprise then happiness, and when she playfully asks Naruto what is the product of the "Yellow Flash" and the "Red Hot-Blooded Habanero", he proudly responds that he is " Konoha 's Orange Hokage".

Chapter 499
Kushina 's words cause Naruto to feel at peace, which makes the Nine-Tails' hatred recede. Naruto makes several shadow clones, and uses several variants of the Rasengan to push the fox back, allowing him to pull out all of its chakra. After obtaining the Nine-Tails ' chakra, Naruto's seal takes a new shape, the chakra takes the form of the Sage of Six Paths. Naruto uses the key to close the seal, re-caging the fox. Kushina reveals that she is the previous jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.

Chapter 500
Kushina tells Naruto the history of her clan, and how she became the second Nine-Tails ' jinchūriki. After that she begins to explain the events that took place on the day of his birth sixteen years ago. She mentions that the birth took place in secret, as the seal that was keeping the Nine-Tails could possibly break. Soon after Naruto's birth, a masked man killed all the Anbu guarding the cave where he was born. He took Naruto hostage, and told the Fourth Hokage to step away from the jinchūriki, or he would kill the new born.

Chapter 501
Tobi breaks through the barrier and kidnaps Naruto Uzumaki. As the Nine-Tails was starting to leak out of Kushina Uzumaki, Tobi demands Minato Namikaze gets away from Kushina or Naruto dies. He's about to strike Naruto but Minato saves him. But Tobi managed to put explosive tag on Naruto. Kushina cries, luckily Naruto and Minato escape, but Tobi escapes with Kushina and releases the Nine-Tails. He tries to kill Kushina through the Nine-Tails but Minato appears and saves her. He then takes her to his house. She tells him they're heading for the village and he must stop them. Minato puts on his cloak, is ready to protect the village and say that he will return. Itachi Uchiha is seen holding Sasuke Uchiha moments before the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack.

Chapter 502
As Tobi moves towards Konoha, several people felt the Nine-Tails ' presence, including Kakashi, the Third Hokage, and Itachi. Tobi then summons the fox causing chaos. The Third organises Konoha to battle the fox, while wondering how Kushina 's seal broke, despite all the precautions. Minato enters Konoha, on Hokage Rock, causing the Nine-Tails to sense him and fire a Tailed Beast Ball at him. Minato counters the blast with Flying Thunder God: Guiding Thunder sending the blast behind Konoha, alerting the village of his presence. Minato is ambushed by Tobi, who tries to send Minato away. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique Minato quickly escapes, but Tobi follows after him. Realising that Tobi's strength and knowledge is too abnormal, Minato questions if Tobi is truly Madara Uchiha, but states it is impossible, as Madara Uchiha is dead. Tobi speculates on the matter. Minato concludes that with a technique superior to his own and his ability to control the Nine-Tails, Tobi is too dangerous to be left alive. The battle comes down to speed. They charge towards each other, Minato throwing a Flying Thunder God Kunai only to have Tobi phase through it. He then forms a Rasengan. Tobi grabs Minato's shirt, thinking he has won, only to have Minato disappear and reappear over Tobi striking him with the Rasengan.

Chapter 503
Minato strikes down Tobi with his Rasengan, then teleports to the masked man and releases the Nine-Tails from his control. Acknowledging his defeat, Tobi retreats to a safe distance from the Fourth, but not before stating he will have another chance at world conquest, and then he too, teleported away. Meanwhile, Minato arrives in Konoha and summons Gamabunta to keep the Nine-Tails still while he prepares to teleport it to a safer location. After relocating to a another place, he is unexpectedly met by Kushina Uzumaki, with their newborn, who restrains the Nine-Tails using her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Asking what she is doing here, Kushina responds to him by stating she intends to use the last of her chakra to pull the fox back to her so that it will die with her. Minato then prepares to seal away the fox, telling Kushina he'll conserve her chakra to give her a chance to see Naruto one last time as the death god hovers ominously over him.

Chapter 504
Kushina protests the use of the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, asking Minato why he is sacrificing himself so she can meet Naruto for a few minutes when he's older. He convinces her that it's the right thing to do because "he could never substitute for her". The death god grabs the Nine-Tails but seals only half of it. Minato summons Gerotora and gives him the key to the seal he's about to put on Naruto. Kushina gives Naruto a long list of things to do then Minato performs the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style on Naruto. In the present, Kushina apologises to Naruto for not being there, and he tells her he didn't know what a parent's love was like, but he managed. Naruto thanks his parents for making him their son and tells them that his vessel is full of love from the both of them. As Kushina fades away, she thanks him for letting her and Minato be his parents and thanks him for being born to them.

Naruto, Volume 54

Chapter 505
Naruto Uzumaki completes his training of gaining the Nine-Tails ' chakra inside of him. Before Yamato, Naruto, and Killer B leave, Naruto senses Kisame Hoshigaki inside Samehada. Samehada springs into action but Naruto used his right hand to smash Kisame. Meanwhile, Might Guy arrives to the Falls of Truth. He starts to go into the Falls to confront his true self. His true self starts to appear behind the waterfall and ask Guy why he keeps on talking about the power of youth. Guy is furious and demands that his true self confront him. The true self is about to appear when Kisame bursts through the waterfall. In thinking that the "bizarre bug" who is Kisame is his true self, Guy proceeds to fight him.

Chapter 506
After learning that " the creature " is not Might Guy 's inner self and is an Akatsuki spy, Guy and Aoba Yamashiro begin to battle Kisame, but he continues to flee. Guy uses the Eight Gates, opening the Sixth Gate and pursues Kisame with Killer B 's help. Kisame summons a shark and hides a scroll in its mouth, containing his gathered information. Guy goes after the shark but Kisame hides it in a wave of a thousand sharks. Guy opens the Seventh Gate and performs his rarely seen one-hit kill move, Daytime Tiger against Kisame's Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique.

Chapter 507
Guy defeats Kisame, who, while unconscious, is restrained by Yamato 's Wood Release, so Aoba can gather information from Kisame's past. In the past, when still a shinobi of Kirigakure Kisame was a bodyguard for Cypher Division, but he killed his comrades when danger of secret codes' leak appeard. Later, he killed his superior, who betrayed the village, and took his sword. Then, the Fourth Mizukage approached. Speaking with him, Kisame described his life as one big lie. He then spotted a person controlling the Mizukage. The person promised to release him from lies and introduced himself as Madara Uchiha. Back in present times Kisame bites his tongue and releases himself from stocks.

Chapter 508
Kisame bites his own tongue in order to force himself back to consciousness and prevent Aoba Yamashiro from obtaining any information about the Akatsuki from him. He then creates a dome of water around himself preventing Guy from attacking him and summons three sharks within it. He then remembers his first meeting with Itachi and considering Itachi's words, makes his own sharks consume him before Yamato has a chance to stop him. Watching Kisame sacrifice his life, Naruto comments that there are those within the Akatsuki who act to protect their friends. Then Guy says that Kisame lived and died as a true shinobi should and that he will always remember him. Guy then retrieves a scroll filled with information that Kisame had collected and Motoi suggests they take a look at it but when they open the scroll, it turns out to be booby trapped and a dome of water surrounds them while a shark takes the scroll and runs away with it. Meanwhile, Tobi and Konan are shown confronting each other in Amegakure where Tobi asks Konan where she's hidden Nagato and the Rinnegan to which she replies that she knew he would come and that she's been waiting to finish him off. Tobi replies by saying that he will not go easy on her just because she was a former Akatsuki member.

Chapter 509
Konan and Tobi face off in Amegakure standing on a lake. Tobi asks what it is about Naruto that made Konan and Nagato quit Akatsuki, and Konan replies that he is light personified and carries a flower called 'hope'. Tobi tells Konan that he was the one who got Yahiko to found Akatsuki, and the one who gave Nagato the Rinnegan. Konan attacks Tobi in an attempt to kill them both. Konan recalls Yahiko, and Nagato calling each other the bridge to peace, and states that she will be the support to both their bridges. Konan then asks if Tobi understands why she betrayed him. He replies no, and she says it's because he's darkness, and a flower will wilt in darkness. She reveals her ultimate technique and splits the lake beneath them in two.

Chapter 510
Tobi falls into the chasm, and Konan continuously detonates exploding tags for ten minutes. Tobi survives, and states that he used Izanagi to escape from her attack. After Tobi explains how Izanagi works, Konan tries to kill him. Her attack is interrupted by Tobi, and he uses a genjutsu to force her to reveal the location of Nagato 's corpse. Tobi then arrives at the shrine where Nagato is buried, and states that Nagato is the "third of the six paths" and a member of the Uzumaki clan.

Chapter 511
Tobi warps Nagato 's body away, and leaves. After this time goes back when Jiraiya was training the Ame Orphans. He implements a secret method of communication using "Hop-In" cards and explains their use and importance to them. Meanwhile, as Konan 's body lays floating in the water a bloodied piece of paper is blown off of Konan's body by the wind. The red paper lands in front of a plank inside the old hideout of the Ame Orphans. The four planks with red paper in front of them symbolise that Jiraiya, and the orphans have all returned home. At the Akatsuki hideout, Tobi with a new outfit declares it's time to capture the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.

Chapter 512
Motoi sends a message to the Kage about the information leak. Naruto and B are to remain on the island as it is a moving fortress, and can't be tracked easily. Kabuto volunteers to capture the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails in Tobi 's place. Tobi reveals his army of one hundred thousand white Zetsu.

Chapter 513
Ōnoki along with Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi fly to the island. Naruto and the others hide the islands animals inside the turtle's shell. Kabuto and Deidara locate the island, but are confronted by Ōnoki.

Chapter 514
Kabuto along with Deidara battle against the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, and his aides. Meanwhile, Yamato convinces Naruto to stay inside the giant turtle and complete his mission. After coming to see the battle outside, Yamato is eventually captured by Kabuto, who retreats back to the Akatsuki hideout. Kabuto explains that he will be able to produce even more Zetsu with Yamato. Tobi tells Kabuto to get to work, as his new left eye hungers for battle.

Naruto, Volume 55

Chapter 515
Ōnoki escorts the Island Turtle to Kumogakure. Killer B begins teaching Naruto how to control tailed beast 's chakra. Sasuke wonders if its okay to take the bandages off his eyes, but Zetsu says it isn't and that he should be more patient. The Allied Shinobi Forces discover the amount of troops Akatsuki 's army has, and they begin formulating counter-measures. Kabuto reveals the rest of his reincarnated servants and he and Tobi along with the Zetsu army begin the march to war.

Chapter 516
After discovering that Akatsuki 's forces are moving out, Anko orders her team to return to headquarters, while she searches the enemy base. Kabuto 's reincarnated servants discuss the reasoning for their reincarnation. Kabuto forms a Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon using four of his servants. Afterwards, Kabuto confronts Anko and engages her in battle. Naruto moves on to the next step of his training. Gaara gives an inspiring speech to the shinobi army, which stops the fighting between the troops. Afterwards, the army heads out for war, and the Kage all agree that they will win.

Chapter 517
The Surprise Attack Division moves into enemy territory, and Omoi worries about what will happen if he is captured. The allied forces evacuate the lands of Hot Water, and Frost. Anko is defeated by Kabuto. Akatsuki 's Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon engages in battle with the Allied Shinobi Forces Surprise Attack Division. Sai realises that his " brother " has been reincarnated to fight for Akatsuki. Omoi raises his sword, and says that he won't allow the enemy to force friends and family to fight.

Chapter 518
Omoi frees the ninja under Sasori 's control. Ittan and Kiri get the wounded to safety and heal them. Sai, Omoi, and Kankurō battle the Akatsuki team. Kankurō and Omoi succeed in capturing Sasori and Deidara. Shin, after seeing Sai's completed drawing, has his soul freed.

Chapter 519
After hearing Kankurō 's speech, Sasori 's body begins to crumble. Before returning in the afterlife, Sasori entrusts Kankurō with his puppets " Mother and Father ", and tells him to pass them on to the next generation. After discussing a potential weakness in the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, the team prepares for their ambush. Kabuto tells Tobi to go ahead to the front lines, while he stays hidden, and focuses on his technique. Naruto begins to learn a new technique.

Chapter 520
Naruto continues to practice making the Tailed Beast Rasengan. Tobi orders Kabuto to kill Anko, but he says he can get stronger by absorbing the remnants of Orochimaru 's chakra that is in her, so instead, he has Kabuto show him how Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation works, by having him use Fū Yamanaka to reincarnate Torune, whom he just killed. Kabuto does so. The Allied Forces learn of the White Zetsu Army moving underground. The Surprise Attack Division continues their assault.

Chapter 521
Kabuto tells Tobi how he can stop Impure World Reincarnation, and then leaves. The shinobi army clashes with the White Zetsu Army. Kakashi 's division arrives to help out the Surprise Attack Division. Zabuza and Haku ask about what had become of Naruto since their deaths. Kabuto uses Anko Mitarashi to strengthen the Impure World Reincarnation technique even more.

Chapter 522
Kabuto erases the personalities of Zabuza, Haku, Pakura, and Gari. They begin to battle with the Third Division. Suigetsu and Jūgo escape from their imprisonment within the Land of Iron, due to weakened security caused by the mobilisation of forces for the war. The previous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are summoned to the battlefield as backup.

Chapter 523
The Third Division battles the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. While searching for his sword, Suigetsu explains why he wants to obtain the seven swordsmen's weapons, and explains their abilities. Kakashi nearly hits Zabuza, but is stopped, and held by Haku. Zabuza prepares to cut through both Haku and Kakashi.

Chapter 524
Kakashi narrowly avoids Zabuza 's attack. Zabuza and Haku are captured and restrained. Kitsuchi is informed of thousands of more Zetsu travelling underneath them. Mū, the Second Tsuchikage, is discovered by Gaara with his sand.

Naruto, Volume 56

Chapter 525
Kabuto sees that Mū stopped moving and wonders if he was detected. He has Mū summon the Second Mizukage, the Third Raikage, and the Fourth Kazekage. The Kage discuss their situation. Gaara learns whom his division will fight. Darui and his division also prepare to fight. At the alliance headquarters, after receiving intel from the Sensor Division, Shikaku proposes a strategy to the Fourth Raikage. After agreeing to it, the leaders make one amendment and send the Third Tsuchikage to fight the Second Tsuchikage due to his abilities. Black Zetsu arrives at the location of the daimyō of the Five Great Shinobi Countries.

Chapter 526
The Black Zetsu 's attempt to capture the daimyō of the Five Great Shinobi Countries fails due to decoys. The Mizukage escorts the Frost Daimyō to a new location. The First Division goes in to battle against the White Zetsu Army. Chiyo 's group arrives at the Surprise Attack Division 's location. Ōnoki provides backup for Gaara 's division. Darui faces the Gold and Silver Brothers.

Chapter 527
Darui, Samui, and Atsui battle the Gold and Silver Brothers. The Fourth Raikage and Tsunade talk about the history of Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Both Samui and Atsui are sealed away in the Benihisago. Darui's word soul is cut and cursed by the Shichiseiken, and then recorded by the Benihisago. Meaning, if he says the word he has said the most during his life, he will be sealed away.

Chapter 528
Darui realises if he stays silent too long he will be sealed away. Ginkaku tells Darui that he is just a tool of the Raikage. Darui then tells Ginkaku that he is the Fourth Raikage 's right arm, and is more than just a tool. As he begins to be sucked into the gourd, Darui realises that two words he said sounded like his taboo word "dull". As he is sucked in Darui apologises to many people, making "sorry" the word he has said the most. Darui knocks Ginkaku into the rope, and manages to steal the sword, and gourd. Darui curses Ginkaku with the sword, and as Ginkaku pleads for Kinkaku 's help he is sucked in to the gourd. Enraged of his brother's capture, Kinkaku then enters into his Version 2 form.

Chapter 529
While training to master his new technique, Naruto senses something. Kinkaku rampages on the battlefield, and the alliance headquarters are notified. The Fourth Raikage orders the fifth treasure be sent to the battlefield. Shortly after its arrival, backup arrives from the second, fourth, and fifth divisions. With the help of Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino, Darui seals Kinkaku within the fifth treasure.

Chapter 530
Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino are confronted by Kakuzu. Kakuzu points out that Dan Katō and Asuma Sarutobi are among the battle. Knowing they are the only ones that can defeat him, Team Asuma agrees to fight their former teacher. Elsewhere, Ibuse paralyses the Surprise Attack Division, where Mifune engages Hanzō in combat.

Chapter 531
Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji prepare to fight Asuma. Mifune and other samurai arrive to assist the Surprise Attack Division and battle Hanzō, Chiyo, and Kimimaro. Mifune disables Hanzō's ninjutsu by attacking him between his formation of hand seals. While fighting each other, Mifune remembers the first time he fought with Hanzō. He then surprises Hanzō with his ability to dodge several of his attacks, and was still able to cause damage to him.

Chapter 532
Mifune reminds Hanzō of what Hanzō had told him during their prior fight as Mifune lay there dying from the poison he received from Hanzō's kusarigama strike. As Mifune laid there dying, Hanzō appreciated his bravery and gave him an antidote for the poison. Reminded of his prior life and in a tremendous demonstration of will, Hanzō places his faith in Mifune and overcoming the talisman that governs him, he commits " seppuku " ( 切腹, literally meaning: stomach-cutting) with his broken kusarigama. Piercing the internal venom gland located within his body in the process, an enormous poisonous cloud is released that paralyses the entirety of Hanzō's movements, creating an opening for the Fifth Division to exploit in order to seal him away for the remainder of the war.

In the battle between Asuma and his former students, Shikamaru was able to use his Shadow Imitation Technique to herd Asuma close enough to Chōji for him to strike. But as Chōji uses his Partial Multi-Size Technique on his arm to strike at Asuma, he holds back and stops. This gives Asuma the chance to strike Chōji and prepare to use Wind Release: Dust Cloud Technique, warning his students to run away.

Chapter 533
Ino saves Chōji from being hit by Asuma 's technique. Asuma tries to goad Chōji into fighting, to no avail. Ino fights for Chōji, and she, Chōza, and Shikamaru remind him of his oath. Shikamaru remembers Asuma's last request, and urges Chōji to man up. Kakuzu runs from Izumo and Kotetsu. Tenten finds the Bashōsen, and uses it to destroy Kakuzu's lightning mask. The First Division asks for Chōza's aid in battling Dan. Chōji releases his butterfly wings without ingesting the Three Coloured Pills, much to the amazement of his father; Asuma is pleased that Chōji is ready to fight.

Chapter 534
Chōji sprouts butterfly wings as he, Ino, and Shikamaru make their final attack against their sensei. Ino uses Mind Clone Switch Technique on two of White Zetsu, and uses them to attack Asuma, Shikamaru uses Shadow Sewing Technique to make Asuma jump as Chōji attacks and punches him into a wall. Shikamaru throws Asuma's chakra blade to Chōji who punches it, sending it flying towards Asuma. The blade lands on Asuma's shadow, immobilising him. Asuma says their formation was perfect, thanking them as two Sunagakure shinobi seal his body. Naruto Uzumaki and Killer B take a break from training, and Naruto notices that he is not the only shinobi who possesses the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox 's power. Naruto gets suspicious and runs out to find a group of Konohagakure ninja barring his way.

Naruto, Volume 57

Chapter 535
Naruto questions the presence of more Konoha ninja on the island. Iruka and the others try to trick Naruto into staying in the temple. Naruto enters Sage Mode and forces his way out of the temple. Outside, Naruto senses others fighting in the battlefields with Sage Mode. Iruka explains the situation. Naruto remembers Nagato 's words on war and says he'll end the war and endure it by himself. Iruka tries to convince Naruto to stay, letting him know what he thinks of him. Iruka tries to keep Naruto from leaving with a barrier, but Naruto escapes it with his Nine-Tails ' chakra. Naruto finds a note from Iruka in his forehead protector, asking him to come back alive. Naruto keeps on towards the battlefields.

Chapter 536
Killer B leaves the temple as well and speaks to Iruka, who asks B to protect Naruto. They bump fists. Naruto eats Iruka's note. The Eight-Tails disagrees with following Naruto, but B dismisses it, as they still have to train, and considers actual battle better than training. The daimyō are bored playing cards. Black Zetsu arrives at their location, but is intercepted by the Fifth Mizukage, Chōjūrō, Raidō, Genma, and others there to protect them. The Fourth Raikage berates Tsunade for failing to keep Naruto in. Naruto and B break through the barrier around the Island Turtle with B's Tailed Beast Ball, Naruto pushing it to break its layers. Black Zetsu detects Naruto and B out of the barrier, and alerts White Zetsu who tells Tobi. Tobi gives up on using the daimyō as bargaining chips, but decides to keep Zetsu fighting the Mizukage to split their forces. At the coast, all White Zetsu are defeated, and reincarnated ninja are incapacitated. Tobi appears and summons the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Chapter 537
Chōza and Chōji attack the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, which simply shrugs it off, and sends a shockwave throughout the battlefield, devastating it. While en route, Naruto goes into his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, B telling him he will run out of chakra when he needs it. Naruto says he has no time to waste. The Sensor Division detects the statue and Tobi on the battlefield, Tsunade wonders why he'd go to the front-lines. The Intelligence Division learns that B and Naruto escaped, and that they teamed up to get past the barrier. The Fourth Raikage decides to deal with the jinchūriki himself, telling Tsunade to come with him, leaving Shikaku Nara in charge. Back at the battlefield, Kakuzu is sealed, and the barrier around Dan dissipates. Kitsuchi tries to crush the statue, but it resists, and further devastates the battlefield. Tobi moves in to get the Benihisago and the Kohaku no Jōhei. Shikamaru and Darui try to stop him, but he has the statue stomp on them. They are saved by Chōji and Kitsuchi. Tobi retreats, and Kabuto notices Tobi got Kinkaku and Ginkaku. The Allied Shinobi Forces prepare for the night, both them and Akatsuki having lost half their forces.

Chapter 538
As Naruto (in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode ) and Killer B head towards the battlefield, the Nine-Tails pulls Naruto into his subconscious and berates him for squandering its chakra like that. Naruto and the fox have a conversation and the fox tells him to stop being naive as there was no way he could shoulder the hatred of an entire war and Sasuke. After a flashback of Naruto and Sasuke while in the Academy, Naruto walks into the Nine-Tails' cage and brings down the torii to pin the fox down. Naruto then stares dead into the Nine-Tails' eye and brimming with confidence tells him that he will do something about the war and Sasuke.

Chapter 539
The Nine-Tails recalls Naruto's growth. Naruto says he'll do something about the Nine-Tails' hatred as well, one day. In turn, the Nine-Tails reproaches him for thinking he can do it. In the battlefield, Neji collapses from overuse of the Byakugan; so, Kiba has him go to the medical unit. Nagato and Itachi talk about Akatsuki, their dōjutsu and what their summoner has in mind for them. Itachi states that the combination of his Mangekyō Sharingan, coupled with Nagato's Rinnegan could be almost unstoppable. At the Logistical Support and Medical Division, medical-nin heal the wounded. Three jōnin -level medical-nin are later found dead. The sensors say they have not detected the enemy, and suspicion arises that someone is being controlled. Sakura argues that despite that, they must keep healing the shinobi. Neji opts to find the spy. Sakura receives a love letter from another shinobi but tells him she has feelings for someone else. Two medical-nin are later seen preparing to get back to work, but Neji then reveals himself as the killer. He attacks and presumably kills the two medical-nin.

Chapter 540
After a short talk with an Iwa shinobi, Sakura is shown pondering her feelings for Sasuke. The Iwa-nin leaves the tent. " Neji " enters the tent and startles Sakura. Itachi and Nagato discuss Tobi 's strategy while waiting near a shrine, and the real Neji is seen still in the battlefield, complaining to Kiba that he doesn't want to go to the medical compound. Kiba tells Neji that getting himself killed from overexertion won't impress anyone, and chides Neji when he can't even tell Kiba and Akamaru apart when he starts directing his responses to Akamaru instead of him. Hinata and Shino keep on watch with the Byakugan and kikaichū respectively. Shino tells her not to overdo it, to which Hinata responds that they are fighting the war to protect Naruto. " Neji " asks Sakura where Shizune is, and she tells him she's tending to Tonton 's leg. " Neji ", assuming Tonton is a human, says that at least a leg injury is better than a hand injury, which would prevent Tonton from forming seals, arousing Sakura's suspicion that something with Neji is amiss. He asks her to take a look at his arm, which he claims is still causing him pain, simultaneously reaching for a kunai with his free hand, when Sakura slams him into the ground before he can stab her. The " Neji " reverts into a White Zetsu clone, and recalling Yamato 's report, Sakura figures out how the clone was able to imitate Neji perfectly. She then informs the HQ of her findings. Meanwhile, the White Zetsu continue their assassinations under the cover of night. At the headquarters, Inoichi and Ao relay the reports they receive to Shikaku, and he tries to formulate a strategy. A and Tsunade then intercept Naruto and Killer B as they head towards the battlefield.

Chapter 541
The Raikage declares that he won't let Naruto and B go any further, and Naruto attempts to reason with him, albeit unsuccesfully. He then pleads Tsunade to act, but she reluctantly refuses, stating that she's unable to take individual action as the Hokage to help him this time. Naruto, understanding this, tries to escape, but the Raikage intercepts him. Tsunade marvels that Naruto is able to keep up with the Raikage, who states that he is the fastest shinobi alive now that the Fourth Hokage has passed away. He angrily berates Naruto that he is just like his father — a hot-headed idiot — and that if the Fourth Hokage, who Jiraiya had called the Saviour of this World, had succeeded in dealing with the Nine-Tailed Fox that they would never be in this situation. The Raikage states that if Naruto still refuses to stand down, then he will have no choice but to kill him in order to prevent Tobi 's plan from coming to fruition, and moves to attack him, but is stopped by B. The Raikage angrily tells them that they are jinchūriki and cannot act on their own. Tsunade is furious that the Raikage would attempt to act without the approval of the rest of the Kage, and that he immediately went for Naruto, to which the Raikage replies that he would kill his brother too, if and when the time came, but that presently B is the more useful jinchūriki. B refuses to move aside, telling his brother that he's not merely a weapon, but an individual with things he loves and would fight for. They bump fists, and the Raikage recalls the time B was chosen to be his brother and partner.

Chapter 542
A 's flashback continues. The two "brothers" go on several missions together, on one of which they are joined by A's cousin. A and his cousin discuss the possibility of Killer B becoming the next jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails. A wonders if B will have enough control to suppress the Eight-Tails. A's cousin reflects on what it means to be a jinchūriki, and despite outwardly appearing to have everything, what a jinchūriki really needs is something to fill the hole in their heart and give them strength. Later, A and B are shown attending A's cousin's funeral. A sets B the goal of matching his own strength, to which B replies that someday he will surpass his brother. The day arrives when the Eight-Tails will be sealed in B, and A tells B that from here on out, things will be different. They bump fists, and A says that no matter what happens, he'll be there for him. Sometime later, A clashes with Minato for the first time. Minato commends B for his bravery, and tells A that he should find out his brother's values as a person — what B holds most important — before he became neither a human nor a jinchūriki.

Chapter 543
The Fourth Raikage tells Minato to save his nonsense, and runs in to attack. Minato moves to stab B, but B too has a blade pointing at Minato. Minato states that he's taken a liking to B. In the present, Naruto moves to attack the Raikage, but misses. B and A trade blows, and B attempts to use the Lightning Release: Lariat against his brother, who claims that B's Lightning Release: Lariat is inferior to his own. The Raikage calls for Tsunade 's aid, but instead, she moves to stand in front of Naruto and B, remembering Naruto's promise that he wouldn't die until he became the Hokage, arguing that were Naruto to die, the next jinchūriki wouldn't be able to control the Nine-Tails as well as Naruto can. The Raikage asks what guarantee they have that Naruto will succeed. B again tries his Lightning Release: Lariat against the Raikage. The brothers recall the time the Third Raikage passed away, when A told B that he didn't need to use the Lightning Release: Lariat anymore, that he should focus solely on improving his Tailed Beast Ball and that he was forbidden to leave the village. Again, A and B clash with their Lightning Release: Lariat, with B's proving the strongest, much to A's dismay. B proceeds to tell him that his and Naruto's power doesn't come from being jinchūriki, and that his brother's words long ago gave him the strength to surpass him.

Chapter 544
At the Allied Shinobi Forces HQ, Shikaku continues to search for a strategy to counter the White Zetsu. Elsewhere, A marvels that his words gave B the strength he needed to surpass him. B states that while a jinchūriki might fall into the trap of losing hope and becoming "hollow", as long as they have something to fight for, they can overcome the tailed beast within and retain their sense of humanity — a light to follow. He refers to these lights as "suns", stating that A is his sun, and Naruto has two "suns" — his mother and his father. Naruto explains to Tsunade and the Raikage how he met his parents and how they believed that he could overcome the Nine-Tails. He also mentions the "masked man", whom A guesses is Tobi. Tsunade marvels at Minato's foresight in perceiving Tobi as that big a threat, and consequently sealing the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. The Raikage asks if Minato, the "Saviour of this World", left everything to Naruto. Naruto replies that he doubts his father thought of himself as a saviour, but that Jiraiya did, and that although Minato may have passed away, he and Kushina instilled in Naruto their faith that he could finish their job and fulfil that role. Tsunade asks A to let Naruto pass — to believe in Naruto. Naruto dodges the Raikage's fastest attack, to both B and Tsunade's astonishment, vowing that he won't fail. The Raikage states that he wanted to test Naruto in his own way, and that he is only the second person in the world to dodge his top-speed punch, telling Naruto that the saviour is alive and well within him, and allowing him to continue on, towards the battlefield. Back at the Allied Shinobi Forces HQ, Shikaku decides on using Naruto's ability to sense evil thoughts and intentions while in Nine-Tails Mode to seek out the White Zetsu impersonating the shinobi. Meanwhile, as the sun begins to rise, Tobi stands with a newly created Six Paths of Pain, composed of the reincarnated jinchūriki — all bearing both the Sharingan and the Rinnegan.

Naruto, Volume 58

Chapter 545
Tobi recalls Kisame 's report and says that Naruto 's ability to sense negative emotions is the same as Mito Uzumaki. He then moves out with the new Six Paths of Pain. At the Logistical Support and Medical Division camp, Shizune and Sakura complete an autopsy on one of the White Zetsu clone. They learn that Zetsu was created from the cells of the First Hokage, and that they all use Wood Release. Shikaku informs Naruto and B of the enemies strategy. Naruto and B are confronted by several White Zetsu disguised as alliance shinobi. Naruto immediately sees through it and kills them. After he's finished he forms multiple shadow clones, which simultaneously head to all the battlefields.

Chapter 546
Two allied shinobi, Musai and Nonota, are attacked by the reincarnated Toroi. Naruto hits Toroi with a Rasengan, allowing Suna-nin to seal him. Naruto and B continue to the battlefield. Gaara and Ōnoki stop retreating with their forces and attack the reincarnated Kage. As the reincarnated Kage lament on the fact that they were being made to fight their own shinobi, 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.

Chapter 547
Unable to comprehend the circumstances surrounding his son's revival after the extraction of the One-Tailed Shukaku in spite of Gaara 's explanation, especially in regards to how he obtained friends, the Fourth Kazekage 's surprise continues to mount after being informed that Gaara does not hate him due in part to his role as Kazekage providing perspective into his father's previous motives and actions. Recollecting the past, including both his son's birth and eventual descent into failure as a jinchūriki, the Fourth Kazekage supposes that there is some worth in his reincarnation as it allows him to determine the actual value of his child. Questioning whether Gaara is truly capable of surpassing him, 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's sand is able to restrain all three in an inescapable embrace. Admitting the growth of his son as his counters continue to fail in the face of Gaara's Shield of Sand, the Fourth Kazekage comes to the realisation that all a parent need do is trust in their children, contradicting his prior concepts about value. Declaring that Gaara's strength comes not from the Shukaku but instead from his mother, he tells his son that Karura truly loved him, which shocked the latter.

Chapter 548
Gaara is shocked by the Fourth Kazekage 's revelations about his mother's love for him. Gaara breaks down in tears as his father notes that Gaara has surpassed him and that he entrusts the village to him as he is being sealed. Meanwhile the Third Raikage and the Second Mizukage escape from Gaara's sand and are confronted by the Fourth Division to whom they divulge their abilities. Ōnoki and Mū continue to fight with Ōnoki telling Mū not to underestimate him as he creates several rock clones. Elsewhere, Naruto and Killer B encounter Nagato and Itachi Uchiha.

Chapter 549
Nagato talks to Naruto about how his expression has changed since their last meeting. Naruto says he was able to conquer his hatred because of his parents, B, and Nagato's teachings of pain. Itachi tells Naruto that he wants to ask him a question, and Naruto says the same. Meanwhile, Kabuto is glad that he has found the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails first and wonders what Tobi 's reaction will be. Kabuto commands them to attack. Itachi attacks with a fireball, B cuts it in half with his Samehada. Itachi begins to fight with Naruto and B. As they fight, Itachi asks Naruto about Sasuke. Naruto tells him about Sasuke's desire to destroy Konoha and that Tobi told him about Itachi's secret mission. Itachi asks Naruto to keep his mission a secret as he wants the Uchiha name to keep its reputation. Nagato pulls Naruto and a rock from the nearby lake in a head-on collision, but Naruto dodges it. Nagato summons two creatures. Naruto attacks the dog as it multiplied. Itachi and B fight each other. Itachi jumps onto Nagato's bird and activates his Mangekyō Sharingan. A crow emerges from Naruto's mouth.

Chapter 550
Itachi's crow flies out of Naruto 's mouth. Itachi attempts to use Amaterasu on Naruto but the crow locks the eyes with Itachi causing him to stop. Itachi then uses Amaterasu on Nagato 's dog summon and then turns to use it on Nagato himself and the bird summon. Itachi explains to Naruto why the crow has a Mangekyō Sharingan and how he got it. Shisui Uchiha had given his Sharingan to Itachi and wanted him to use it to protect Konoha. Kabuto overhears the conversation and states that his luck keeps getting better. Nagato uses Shinra Tensei to free himself from Itachi's flames, and Kabuto seemingly removes his personality. Nagato sneaks behind Naruto with his chameleon summon and uses Shinra Tensei once again to attack Killer B and Naruto. Nagato appears behind B and tries to attack him, but B goes into his Version 2 transformation and counters Nagato's attack with a Tailed Beast Lariat. Nagato uses the Preta Path's ability to absorb B's chakra, which leads Nagato to regain a youthful appearance. Nagato then grabs hold of Naruto and uses the Human Path technique.

Chapter 551
As Nagato tries to pull out Naruto's soul, Naruto realises Nagato is using all of Pain's powers in one body. Naruto asks Nagato how his techniques work, but soon realises Nagato is being fully controlled. Naruto tries to escape by attacking Nagato with a Rasengan but he absorbs it. B moves to help Naruto but Nagato sees the attack coming and captures B. Just as Nagato is about to remove Naruto's soul and kill B, Itachi saves them with his incomplete Susanoo. Kabuto remembers he has one more person to capture and has Nagato use Chibaku Tensei on all three of them. Naruto remembers the technique and tells B and Itachi about it. Itachi figures out its weakness and tells the others to use their strongest long-range attacks. As the sphere is destroyed Itachi stabs Nagato with the Sword of Totsuka, causing Nagato to regain consciousness. As he is sealed, Itachi tells him that if he had anything left to say he should say it now. Nagato tells Naruto that he is the last part of the three part legacy following Jiraiya — whose story was perfect, himself — which he deemed a failure. He then tells Naruto to make his story perfect so that everyone forgot his own horrible story.

Chapter 552
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 blind-spots. Kabuto considers using his trump card. Itachi says he has a plan and will handle Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation, but Naruto insists on fighting on his own and attempts to make more shadow clones, but begins feeling the effects of extended use of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Itachi reminds Naruto that, while he is much stronger than before, he shouldn't forget the people who supported him, that doing things on his own will lead to failure, knowing from his own experience. Killer B tells Naruto about his promise to Iruka to keep Naruto safe. Itachi destroys the crow and Shisui's Sharingan, as it'll take another decade before its power can be used again, and then leaves. The Allied Forces shinobi fighting the Second Mizukage are confused by the Giant Clam 's mirages, despite the Mizukage's advice. Temari cuts through the Third Raikage, signalling the Sealing Team to act. Gaara detects the invisible Mū behind Ōnoki, who strains his back. Mū prepares to attack, and Gaara notices a Rasengan behind Mū.

Chapter 553
Naruto 's initial attack on Mū fails, as Mū senses Naruto's attack and dodges. Naruto and Gaara work together enabling Naruto to land a hit on Mū with his Planetary Rasengan. Ōnoki increases the weight of Mū's body stopping him from moving which allows Gaara to seal him before Mū could finish his statement. Gaara wants an explanation as to why Naruto is on the battlefield. Shikaku Nara informs them of the situation. Naruto, before leaving, tells Gaara that he has no intention of dying before becoming Hokage, he knows what's he's doing, and that being Kazekage does not give him the right to patronise him. Temari 's squad has a hard time dealing with the Third Raikage, as well as another squad with the Second Mizukage. Dodai explains the Third's abilities and past. Kabuto erases the Third's personality in order to stall for time. Naruto arrives at Temari's location and begins attacking the Third. At the Mountains' Graveyard, Sasuke attacks and kills White Zetsu with his new Susanoo. He reveals his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and states that his new eyes can see well in the darkness.

Chapter 554
Naruto prepares a Rasenshuriken with his chakra arms. Temari notes it to be a Wind Release variation of the Rasengan. Naruto guides the Rasenshuriken towards the Third Raikage with a chakra arm, but he dodges. Dodai notes the attack won't work since the Raikage has the Lightning Release Chakra Mode on. Naruto counted on him dodging it, and uses the chakra arm to throw the attack in a new direction. The Raikage dodges it again, so Naruto catches the Rasenshuriken with a chakra arm and rams it against him at point blank. The Sealing Team tries to seal the Raikage, but he recovers before they can complete it, much to everyone's shock. The Third prepares his strongest ninjutsu. Dodai urges all to get away from the Third and commands Earth Release users to build a wall, which Dodai himself reinforces. Dodai explains the Third's technique. Against Dodai's recommendation and Temari's protests, some shinobi try attacking the Third when he breaks through the wall, only to be defeated. Dodai recounts how the Third was resilient, and Naruto asks him how the Raikage got his scar if he was so resistant. Dodai says he got it fighting the Eight-Tails by himself and that he didn't like to talk about it. Naruto decides using the Tailed Beast Ball, and starts charging it.

Chapter 555
Naruto 's attempt at forming a Tailed Beast Ball fails, and is forced out of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. Naruto tells Dodai that he needs to contact B and the Eight-Tails. As the Raikage suddenly attacks them, Dodai forms a rubber ball as a decoy to buy Naruto some time. Dodai contacts Inoichi Yamanaka, who allows Naruto to talk to B. Naruto tells B that he wants to talk to the Eight-Tails. The Eight-Tails tells Naruto that when it and the Raikage fought they collapsed with both of their techniques in hand. The Raikage cuts the rubber ball in half and sees that Naruto isn't in it. He heads towards Naruto's location. Naruto goes in to Sage Mode and plans to use Frog Kata to sense the Raikage's attack faster. The Raikage attacks with a one-finger nukite, but Naruto dodges and hits the Raikage's arm with a Rasengan, knocking his attack into his own chest. The sealing team immediately seals the Raikage. Elsewhere, the Second Mizukage stands before an exhausted Gaara and asks him if that was all he is capable of.

Naruto, Volume 59

Chapter 556
The Second Mizukage comments on how he wasn't defeated despite divulging his weaknesses. Gaara pants and notices how the Mizukage's oily water seeps into his sand and makes it unusable. The Mizukage angrily resents Gaara for trying to defeat Mū first. Gaara acknowledges the Mizukage's strength. Gaara detects the Giant Clam 's location, showing Ōnoki where to shoot his Dust Release, but since he has used up too much chakra against Mū, he can't use it. Instead, he decides to punch it. The punch closes the Giant Clam but doesn't dispel the genjutsu. The Mizukage says that if the Tsuchikage that if he doesn't put more strength into it, straining his back, his attack won't do a thing to the clam, noticing him to have stopped using Dust Release due to his chakra use. Ōnoki increases the weight of his fist on the Giant Clam and smashes it, throwing his back in the process. The genjutsu is broken. The Mizukage strikes the Tsuchikage, but it turns out to be a decoy placed by Gaara. Gaara immobilises the Mizukage with great amounts of sand so the oily water can't seep through it all. The Sealing Team starts to work, but the sand explodes before they can finish, the Mizukage's visage appearing in the steam. Ōnoki tells Gaara this isn't genjutsu, but the ninjutsu not even Mū knew how to counter.

Chapter 557
The Allied shinobi look up to the steam in the sky and it begins to hail. Ōnoki notes that the steam is being cooled down at the high altitudes and becoming hail. The steam condenses itself into the shape of a boy. The Tsuchikage explains the Mizukage's technique. The clone begins attacking, and it's able to dodge Gaara 's sand. Ōnoki tells Gaara to ignore the clone and go after the Mizukage, who should be weak due to the technique. A sensor shinobi detects the Mizukage. The clone moves very fast, attacking all in its path. Back-up shinobi arrive. Ōnoki's back still isn't good. Gaara begins trapping the Mizukage in sand again, but the Sealing Team is interrupted by the clone, which rips the sealing tags. The Mizukage's head emerges from the sand, telling Gaara that as long as he has oil, his sand won't be of use. The Mizukage presses on them to defeat them, and Ōnoki suggests he keeps giving them advice. The Mizukage refuses on the grounds that if they can't defeat him by their own skill, they have no chance against those who summoned him, and confesses himself disappointed with Gaara. His clone explodes again. Naruto, Temari and other shinobi pick up their pace towards the location. The Allied shinobi are protected by Gaara's shield of sand. Gaara attacks the clone, which dodges his sand again. The clone strikes Gaara, who is revealed to be a sand clone. Gaara reveals himself from the ground and is able to capture the clone with his sand, much to the Mizukage's surprise. The clone explodes again, but the sand merely falls apart, revealing a gold shell. Gaara explains that he hid some of his father's Gold Dust in the sand clone, putting it in the Mizukage's clone, slowing it down and dissipating the heat, melting the gold and making the shell. The Mizukage is impressed by Gaara's strategy and with Gaara.

Chapter 558
Kabuto ponders that it was fortunate that Mū 's half was sealed before it could alert the Allied shinobi, and notes the reincarnated shinobi will need time to regenerate. Mū is disappointed that Ōnoki failed to noticed his splitting, despite being his pupil, and praises the fūinjutsu restraining his other half. Kabuto figures that since Mū's power was also split, it'll take him longer to perform a certain summon. Naruto arrives at Gaara 's location, informing him of the Third Raikage 's sealing, while Gaara replies he's almost finished with the Second Mizukage, who despite viewing Naruto as being awkward and less composed than Gaara, sees that they form a good team. As he's sealed, the Mizukage is pleased with how much fun he had. Gaara orders that the HQ be updated on their situation. Temari tell those injured to go for the medical team, including the Tsuchikage. Gaara confirms that the Naruto with them is a clone, and asks where the original is. Killer B catches up with the original Naruto, telling him he was contacted by one of his clones. Naruto says that his clones should be reaching the battlefields. At the coast, the Allied shinobi devised a strategy so they don't fight each other trying to find impostors, but are left vulnerable to new attacks. A Naruto shadow clone arrives, much to their relief. A restrained Dan, intrigued by Naruto's resemblance to Nawaki, asks who he is. He's told of Naruto's status as the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, his dreams of becoming Hokage and Tsunade 's faith in him by Chōza and Shikamaru. At the Logistical Support and Medical Division compound, two disguised White Zetsu almost strike Sakura, but are defeated by a Naruto clone. At another battlefield, another Naruto shadow clone identifies disguised White Zetsu, and saves Hinata from three of them. Neji and Kiba notice how different Naruto is. Mū begins performing a summon.

Chapter 559
Mū finishes summoning Kabuto's trump card, whose power makes the coffins lid burst open. The figure gets out of the coffin, figuring Nagato grew. Mū is impressed that someone would bring this person back with Impure World Reincarnation. The summon is confused, thinking it had been brought back with Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. Naruto finishes off the White Zetsu attacking Hinata. Neji and Kiba notice how Naruto is different, and wonder if it's really him. Hinata is convinced it's Naruto, and has her confidence shaken by the fact the one she wishes to protect ends up protecting her instead. Naruto reassures her that she's strong, and begins fighting the White Zetsu. Kakashi cuts through Fuguki Suikazan, creating an opening for Sai to seal him. Guy says there are three more reincarnated shinobi to be sealed. Lee says he'll cover for Sai. Many White Zetsu arrive at the Third Division 's location, but so does one of Naruto's clones. Naruto decides to go for quality instead of quantity. Another clone reaches Mifune 's division, preparing to fight Kimimaro and Chiyo, who notice his growth. A clone reaches Mei's group and begins fighting Black Zetsu. Inoichi receives reports from all divisions, that Naruto is identifying and defeating all White Zetsu. Shikaku thinks they should focus their efforts on finding and capturing Madara. Ao detects a presence near Gaara 's division. A local sensor detects Mū's split double, Ōnoki is impressed he managed to do that just before being sealed. Mū is joined by a reincarnated Madara Uchiha, causing all to wonder who is the man behind the mask, leading the opposing side in the war.

Chapter 560
Madara questions Mū about the user of the technique which brought them back to life. Kabuto takes full control of Mū to talk directly with Madara, explaining he brought him back in a special manner that makes him stronger than his prime. Gaara attacks Madara but he dodges his sand and moves to counter-attack using a widespread Fire Release, which is countered by many Alliance shinobi using a water wall. Moving in to general melee he wreaks havoc on the Alliance forces until Ōnoki raises the ground below him to capture him against Naruto 's Rasengan. Madara defends himself with Susanoo. As Naruto prepares to go into Sage Mode, Ōnoki lightens Gaara's sand allowing him to pull Madara out of his Susanoo just in time to be hit by Naruto's Rasenshuriken. Madara activates the Rinnegan and absorbs the Rasenshuriken, and Kabuto rejoices that his suspicions about the evolutionary chain of the Sharingan were correct. Madara replies that this power is not of Kabuto's creation, and using his Susanoo to weave hand-seals, draws a meteorite towards the battlefield.

Chapter 561
As the giant meteorite descends, Ōnoki tells the Allied Shinobi not to give up before even trying. He flies towards the meteorite intending to lighten it. Gaara orders everyone to retreat, as he stays behind to help Ōnoki. Kabuto speaking through Mū, surmises that Madara intends to destroy everything with the meteor, and Madara states that he is correct as they will simply regenerate. Ōnoki successfully lightens the meteorite, as Gaara catches it with his sand. Madara asks what they will do about the second one, as it collides it with the first. At the Allied HQ, A, Tsunade and Shikaku discuss why the masked man would falsely claim that he is Madara. Tsunade says he used the name because the world would always fear the name. It got the world's attention and that it was enough to drag them into war. The shock from the second meteorite's impact reaches HQ. They receive intel about what happened, and they determine that it must be Madara's attack. Tsunade states that she will be heading to the front. Back at the battlefield there are barely any survivors left. Dodai protected Naruto's clone due to him being a valuable asset. Ōnoki was severely injured by the attack. Madara and Mū regenerate, and speak about Madara's plans. They notice survivors and Madara attempts to summon the Nine-Tails, but fails due to it being sealed. Kabuto points out that the jinchūriki is Naruto Uzumaki. Madara uses Hashirama's Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees to attack the remaining Allied Forces. The Nine-Tails gives Naruto some of its chakra without any of its will, preferring to help Naruto over being controlled by Madara again. Naruto rushes towards the approaching forest and creates many shadow clones. The clones create multiple Big Ball Rasengan and destroy the advancing forest. Naruto says that he used up all of the Nine-Tails chakra and that he feels like he could disappear at any moment. Ōnoki tells Naruto to rest while they finish the battle. He proclaims that it's finally time to pick himself off the ground and that there's no opponent more worthy than Madara Uchiha.

Chapter 562
Ōnoki decides to tackle both Madara and Mū with the assistance of the remaining Fourth Division. Tsunade and A decide to head to Madara's location through Mabui 's Heavenly Transfer Technique, a technique that only transports objects as transporting a living being will surely rip them apart. However, Tsunade decides to take the gamble using her Yin Seal: Release. Shikaku telepathically communicates to Genma to have him, Raidō and another Konoha shinobi to perform the Flying Thunder God Technique to transport Mei to Madara's location as well after Chōjūrō defeats Black Zetsu with a single slash. The other three Kage arrive at the battlefield and prepare to fight both Madara and Mū.

Chapter 563
As Tsunade heals Gaara and Ōnoki, A and Mei engage Madara. Dodai, along with the Hokage Guard Platoon chase after the Kabuto -controlled Mū. Madara attacks them with Yasaka Magatama but the attack fails because of Gaara's Shield of Sand and Ōnoki's rock golem protects them. Ōnoki joins the Kage and develops a new strategy. Employing Mei's Hiding in Mist Technique to obscure Madara's field of vision, he first lightens A, increasing his speed. Seeing this, Kabuto positions Mū in front of Madara but he is knocked away easily. Ōnoki then enhances A's attack, breaking into Madara's Susanoo and sending him flying away. Naruto insists on helping fight Madara but Tsunade tells him to leave Madara to them while he fights the other Madara. As the clone disperses they leave one word with him "win". Elsewhere, the real Naruto and B encounter Tobi and Naruto headbutts him head-on.

Chapter 564
Naruto clashes with Tobi, who is unfazed by Naruto's headbutt. Tobi states that with the power of the Nine-Tails, he'd expected more from him. Tobi's Six Paths of Pain jinchūriki begin battling Naruto and Killer B with their unique and powerful moves. Naruto states Tobi's changes and how he is going to stop both him and the other Madara. Upon hearing the real Madara's reincarnation, Tobi curses Kabuto. Tobi says he can be called Tobi or Madara but he could care less any more since the war has started. Naruto asks who he really is but Tobi claims he is just no one, and only cares about accomplishing his Eye of the Moon Plan. Tobi states that the world is worthless and there is nothing but misery and says Naruto and B would understand, due to their childhood. However, Naruto admits his life with a tailed beast inside him wasn't bad. Naruto says all the things that the "no one" has said are nothing more than lies. The two jinchūriki become dedicated in unmasking him but Tobi says they will have to fight for it first. The deceased jinchūriki grow a tail of their former tailed beasts and Tobi declares he will capture Naruto and B and fulfil his plan.

Chapter 565
Naruto states they won't hand over the Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails. B questions if the jinchūriki had their tailed beasts removed, and the Eight-Tails concludes that they must have been resealed, as it can sense them in their hosts, though different. B begins attacking despite Naruto's call to wait. B attacks Fū with Samehada, but she dodges it by flying. B launches swords coated in lightning chakra from her blindspot, but she dodges it. The other jinchūriki watch the two. B wonders how she could dodge from a blindspot, so Naruto tells him about the Rinnegan 's shared field of vision. Rōshi coats himself in lava and attacks Naruto, who narrowly evades it, the heat burning his cheek. Yugito launches her guided attack, and clashes with B, cutting his scarf. B and Naruto take cover, and B is surprised by her speed, and the Eight-Tails points out that the Sharingan allows them to react faster, while the Rinnegan coordinate attacks. Naruto tells B and the Eight-Tails about the Paths of Pain and the black receivers. B points one in Yugito's chest, from a hit he landed earlier. Naruto goes in the open and tries destroying a receiver in Rōshi while being attacked, but is stopped by Han. The Eight-Tails says that the forest will hinder their field of vision, so B transforms into the Eight-Tails to level the forest.

Naruto, Volume 60

Chapter 566
B devastates the forest, also knocking down the other jinchūriki. At the Allied Shinobi HQ, Ao detects that B has transformed into the Eight-Tails. Inoichi receives updates on the Kage holding Madara back. Shikaku requests other divisions' statuses, and learns that the First and Second Divisions are almost done with their enemies, the Third only has one more reincarnated shinobi to seal, and the Fifth has the advantage on their fight. Shikaku orders that as soon as they're done, that they go back up B and Naruto, and asks their coordinates. Naruto notes that the jinchūriki are down, and the Eight-Tails urges B to seal them. B spits out ink clones, which proceed to lock them in place. Before the clones finish immobilising them, Tobi appears from underground, the jinchūriki advance in their transformations and resume attacking. Fū and Yugito tag - team on Naruto, followed by Yagura, who impairs Naruto's movements. Meanwhile, Utakata frees himself from B's hold and Rōshi attacks. The Eight-Tails is concerned and thinks they should retreat, but B is rammed by Han, who has fully transformed into the Five-Tails. Tobi moves in to warp Naruto away stating that six against two puts the odds in his favour. However, this was thwarted as Kakashi and Guy attacked Tobi with his Violent — Leaf Adamantine-Strength Whirlwind technique and cause Tobi to go intangible and slip through Naruto letting Kakashi retrieve Naruto. Naruto is happy to see them, while Tobi states that two more shinobi doesn't make a difference against the power of his eyes and tailed beasts. Kakashi then states that they too have a Sharingan followed by Guy who states that to not underestimate him as he was Konoha's Sublime Green Beast of Prey.

Chapter 567
At the Mountains' Graveyard, Sasuke breaks out of the hideout while elsewhere, having escaped the samurai, Jūgo and Suigetsu discuss Sasuke and Karin, as well as Suigetsu's goal to collect swords as they head to one of Orochimaru's hideouts. On the battlefield, Naruto warns Guy and Kakashi about Tobi 's abilities. As the Five-Tails attacks, Guy frees Naruto from the coral before seeing the beast turn on Tobi who chains and suppresses the Five-Tails, who is dismayed at being controlled in that manner. The Eight-Tails tries crushing Tobi, but he simply slips through it. Tobi returns Han back to his Version 2 form. Guy and Kakashi speculate that Tobi doesn't have full control over the tailed beasts. The Eight and Nine-Tails speak to each other telepathically about the treatment of the tailed beasts and the Nine-Tails says that as the second strongest beast, going by tails, the Eight-Tails should just finish the battle already, and feigns sleep. The Eight-Tails snaps back, saying that this belief about their powers being defined by the number of tails is exactly why Shukaku hated the Nine-Tails so much. Guy and Kakashi charge at the jinchūriki, intending to figure out which of the Six Paths of Pain techniques each one used, only to conclude that Tobi isn't making them use Six Paths techniques because they already have strategies against those. Tobi praises them for figuring that out, and proceeds to make Rōshi and Utakata transform completely into their respective beasts. Naruto falls out of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and considers creating more shadow clones with the Nine-Tails' chakra as diversions. B thinks that creating more clones would surely kill him, but the Eight-Tails points out that Naruto should already be on the brink of death, and thinks that the Nine-Tails has stopped taking Naruto's chakra for a while. The Six-Tails attacks Kakashi and Guy, who dodge. The Four-Tails tosses the Eight-Tails, and Naruto almost falls into its mouth, but resists being eaten by the Four-Tails, now back in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, as the Nine-Tails opens one eye watching on.

Chapter 568
The Four-Tails tosses the Eight-Tails on the ground, and keeps forcing its mouth shut with Naruto in it while the Nine-Tails watches on. Guy wants to save Naruto, but Kakashi points out their own unfortunate situation between two attack fronts: the Six-Tails ' Wisdom Wolf Decay and the other jinchūriki's chakra arms. Kakashi creates a shadow clone and slices through the arms, while Guy punches and burns the gas away. The Eight-Tails wraps its tentacles around the Four-Tails, telling it to let go of Naruto. The Eight-Tails tells the Nine-Tails it heard that it helped Naruto against Madara, the Nine-Tails saying it won't wag its tails to help its jinchūriki as easily as the Eight-Tails. The Eight-Tails questions if it doesn't care at all about what happens to Naruto. The Nine-Tails recalls how many shinobi in the past have restrained it and denied it an identity. The Four-Tails closes its mouth. Naruto meets the Four-Tails, bound by chains. It asks if Naruto is there to take its power, and demands to be called by its proper name, making a boisterous introduction. Naruto apologises for not listening to Son Gokū, which impresses it. Naruto and Son Gokū discuss issues of recognition, identity, and existence. The Four-Tails laughs when Naruto says he's jealous of how B and the Eight-Tails are with each other, before seeing Naruto is serious about it. Considering Naruto to be a better sight than Tobi, Son Gokū offers to help Naruto if he can undo the chains that bind it.

Chapter 569
Son Gokū tells Naruto that it won't become his ally even if he saves it, unless it can trust Naruto, who is OK with that. Kurama ponders that it knows Naruto, and that nothing he can say will reach a tailed beast. Tobi pulls Son towards himself with chains intent on absorbing them both. B 's still trying to make Son open its mouth and release Naruto. Naruto fails to make Son open its mouth, and decides using the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to make Son puke him out, which it does. B celebrates it. Son tells Naruto that the chakra receiver in him slid from its chest to its neck because of the full tailed beast transformation. Naruto spots it, enters in his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, and sets out to remove it, apologising to Son in advance if he needs to get rough. Naruto pulls himself towards the receiver. Tobi tries binding Naruto with the chains. Kurama recalls Naruto's past achievements, and thinks that if Naruto truly wants to help tailed beasts, that he should do like he always has and act. Naruto tries pulling out the chakra receiver, while a clone he left inside Son enters Sage Mode tries pushing it from the inside.

Chapter 570
After Naruto successfully removes the chakra receiver, Tobi instantly summons the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and reseals Son Gokū, but not before it leaves Naruto with a parting gift. With a declaration that he intends to go all-out from this point on because they had something that belonged to him, Tobi forces the remaining five jinchūriki into their respective full tailed beast forms. As Kakashi and Guy watch on in shock, Kurama tells Naruto that it is willing to lend him more of its power. Somewhat taken back by this, Naruto then proceeds to thank Kurama for helping him during his brief battle with Madara Uchiha, to which the fox rebuffs. Naruto then chastises Kurama for the manner in which he took gratitude before the fox — offering him its fist — tells Naruto to meld his chakra with its own. Bumping fists with Kurama, Naruto stands and tells B and the Eight-Tails that he was ready to go again. They however tell him that they would take the front lines while Naruto acts as support since he was unable to attain the Tailed Beast Mode. Naruto however declines this manoeuvre, leading the Eight-Tails to wonder if Kurama had finally come around. As Naruto places his hand on the seal on his stomach and opens the gates that held Kurama back, he acknowledges Kurama that it was no longer the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, but a comrade from Konohagakure.

Chapter 571
With the gates opened, Naruto assumes a new form. With no time to waste as the opposing tailed beasts prepare to attack Guy and Kakashi with their Tailed Beast Balls, Naruto intervenes and deflects the attacks with such speed that Kakashi mistakes him for his own former teacher. As the beasts rally again and prepare to attack the shinobi, Naruto transforms into Kurama — seemingly "absorbing" Guy and Kakashi into the beast's chakra for safe-keeping. After creating a clone and being told by Kurama that he probably had only five minutes in the form because it was his first transformation into the beast, Naruto tells him that five minutes was plenty of time. With this, he attacks the Seven-Tails mid-air, intending to pile-drive the beast into the Three-Tails but the giant turtle rolls out of the way. Before he can attack once again, the Six-Tails swallows the beast's hand, immobilising him and allowing the Three-Tails to attack. The Three-Tails' attack is stopped by the Eight-Tails however. Wasting no time as the Two-Tails now prepared to attack, Naruto swings the Six-Tails into the Two-Tails as B deals with the Five-Tails. The clone — who had entered Sage Mode — reports that he had located all the chakra receivers on the other beasts' bodies. Naruto then watches on as the other tailed beasts prepare a collaborative Tailed Beast Ball, subsequently preparing one of his own along with Kurama, intending to cancel out the force of the attack.

Chapter 572
As Naruto and Kurama 's Tailed Beast Ball collide with those of the opposing tailed beasts, both attacks fly upwards and explode. Using the opportunity to grab the beasts by the throat, Naruto sends clones in the initial Nine-Tails Chakra Mode to grab hold of the black receivers. As they do so, the original enters the consciousness of the tailed beasts who had all been waiting there with their respective jinchūriki and is greeted by Yugito who was pleased he had made it to this level. Welcoming him, Naruto and Yagura — whom the former starts pitying believing the former Mizukage to be a child who looked even weaker than Naruto did — have a brief conversation. After learning of Son Gokū and Rōshi 's fate from Fū, he is summoned before the tailed beast and told to stretch out his hand. After Utakata and Han thank Naruto, one by one, tailed beast and jinchūriki alike introduce themselves to Naruto and then "bump fists" with him. Here, Kurama remembers the parting words of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki and then — as the stakes are removed — asks his fellow tailed beast if they too believed as Son did that Naruto was the one that the Sage had spoken of so long ago. They all affirm them as a shocked Tobi reseals them into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Though stating that nothing had changed because of his worn out condition after the Tailed Beast Mode had ended, Naruto refutes Tobi's claim, stating that he had just learned a bunch of difficult names all at once.

Chapter 573
Tobi is confused by Naruto 's claim of learning difficult names, which Naruto teases him for. Guy and Kakashi discuss now Naruto's progress is making them feel old, though not that old. Tobi begins to sweat, but believes it to be the rain that's starting to fall. Tobi gets a strange feeling from Naruto, and concludes that the war will make everything irrelevant. At the Allied Shinobi HQ, Naruto's use of Kurama 's chakra was felt, though they also feel something else. Ao relays to events to Shikaku, who wants to use it to raise the army's morale all at once, despite the strain it would cause to communications. Naruto's friends from Konoha all rush towards his direction, intent on supporting him. Elsewhere, Sasuke also walks towards the battlefield as a thunderstorm begins.

Chapter 574
In the Konohagakure Intelligence Division, Karin feigns mental instability to lessen the guards attention to her, and begins plotting her escape with a lock-pick set hidden in her glasses and behind a portrait of Sasuke she managed to keep with her. Jūgo and Suigetsu learn about the war, near one of Orochimaru 's hideouts. Jūgo questions Suigetsu's reasons to be part of Taka, and while the two argue, Jūgo's killing instinct kicks in, and he attacks Suigetsu. Suigetsu simply reforms and begins drowning Jūgo to subdue him. He notices that the attack revealed a secret room, where Suigetsu discovers important intelligence gathered by Orochimaru. Sasuke runs into a group of White Zetsu clones, who question his presence outside, and realise he's killed the original White Zetsu before attacking. Sasuke uses Susanoo and incinerates several of them. He interrogates one of the White Zetsu using genjutsu, and learns about the war and its purpose. Sasuke finishes the White Zetsu and decides to go kill Naruto. Sasuke is pleased with Itachi 's eyes, and reminisces about him. Elsewhere, Itachi is on the move.

Chapter 575
Ōnoki attacks Madara with a giant rock golem, which Madara destroys, creating several flowers. Tsunade recognises the technique as her grandfather's. Gaara suspends the Kage above the attack, Ōnoki levitating A. The flowers begin releasing a toxic pollen. Kabuto muses on how people who heard of Hashirama Senju 's strength consider it a myth, just like the Sage of the Six Paths, and that he'll show everyone that this is real. Dodai, Genma, and Raidō give chase to Mū. Having steered the Kage's attention towards the flowers, Madara uses Susanoo to knock them down from behind, throwing them at the flowers, and proceeds to set the forest ablaze. Mei tries putting out the fire, but collapses due to the pollen, as do the other Kage. Ōnoki thinks back to his youth, talking to the First Tsuchikage about the strong will of Iwa shinobi. Ōnoki musters enough strength to destroy the flowers and injure Madara. The other Kage regain consciousness just in time to see the face formed from the DNA of the First Hokage in Madara's chest. Kabuto gushes on how Orochimaru's experiments are nothing compared to his ultimate trump card. Elsewhere, Sasuke detects someone in the woods nearby. Taking out his sword, he goes to investigate it, only to be shocked at seeing Itachi.