Volumes 61–70

Complete listed story — includes the ending

Naruto, Volume 61

Chapter 576
After Sasuke spots Itachi, he chases his brother down. Itachi refuses to be swayed from his mission, so Sasuke attempts to use Susanoo to stop him, but Itachi counters with his own. While Sasuke chases his brother the two have a conversation. Elsewhere, a regenerating Madara decides to target Tsunade after realising she was a Senju. Deeming her a weak woman who had seemingly inherited nothing from Hashirama who he claimed was even more skilled in medical ninjutsu than she was, he goes on to say that even more so that a weak person, he detested a weak Senju. Tsunade however rebuffs him, telling him that though she had not inherited the Wood Release kekkei genkai her grandfather possessed and that he may have even been more skilled than her with medical ninjutsu — since he did not require the use of hand seals to use it, Madara made two mistakes. One was assuming she was a weak woman and the other was that she had inherited nothing from her ancestor. She states that she inherited something more than simple power, the Will of Fire — something Madara should not take so lightly.

Chapter 577
Madara doubts Tsunade can defeat him with the Will of Fire, stating power has nothing to do with will. Tsunade disagrees, saying that the will she inherited made her strong, crediting it for her revolution of medical ninjutsu, building an entire system, and making its three rules, which she lists to him as she releases her seal. She then reveals another rule: that only those who have mastered the Ninja Art Creation Rebirth — Strength of a Hundred Technique are allowed to break the other three rules. The other Kage are stunned to learn about this, while Madara is unfazed, having never heard of the technique. Tsunade explains it's a kinjutsu only she knows how to use. Madara says that getting rid of the pollen and adding a medical-nin won't help their odds. Tsunade says all of them will go at it at once if it comes down to it, and that she's not just a medical-nin. Madara covers himself with Susanoo 's ribcage, which Tsunade cracks with her attack. Madara notes her to be slower than the Raikage, but stronger than him. Madara tries immolating Tsunade, but is stopped by Mei, who also attacks. A and Ōnoki deal a heavy blow just as Tsunade lands a powerful kick, sending Madara crashing down. Madara concedes that Tsunade isn't as weak as he thought. Madara reminds her that she'll get herself killed if she simply rushes into battle, the Kage's source of treatment and recovery. Madara wonders what Hashirama left them, saying they're nothing compared to Hashirama, and that if he had known how weak they'd be, he'd have taught Hashirama how to rise from the dead. He says the only power Hashirama left is clinging to him, and that his own brother only left him his eyes and their power. Tsunade asks if he heard nothing of what she said. Madara says the only thing that could be passed to them is hatred. At the same time, Dan Katō and Chōza Akimichi have a conversation where Chōza informs him that Madara had been reincarnated and that Tsunade — as Hokage — and the other Kage were battling him, which shocks Dan. Despite Chōza's confidence in Tsunade, Dan tells him that he should use his time finding the caster of the technique instead of guarding the barrier that held him as Madara was not to be taken lightly, expressing his belief that only Hashirama could possibly defeat Madara. Back at the battle with Madara, Tsunade manages to land a devastating blow on Madara and as he regenerates, Gaara binds and seals him. This is however, revealed to be nothing more that a wood clone, as Tsunade is impaled by a Susanoo Sword and Madara emerges from a root telling them that when he fought Hashirama in the past, only his dōjutsu could see through the clone. To keep Sasuke from following him, Itachi summons a flock of crows, which stall Sasuke. Itachi finds Kabuto, saying that he felt where his chakra came from while he was being controlled earlier, citing it as a weakness of the technique. Kabuto isn't concerned, as he's the only one who can stop the technique. After seeing Sasuke close behind Itachi, Kabuto gets excited, exclaiming his luck had turned for the better which leaded and exasperated Itachi to remark that things had turned out worse than he expected.

Chapter 578
Having arrived at Kabuto 's hideout, Sasuke identifies Kabuto. Kabuto attempts to manipulate him into attacking Itachi, but Sasuke explains his goal was to talk with his brother and that Kabuto, who has now taken Orochimaru 's mantle, is his enemy. Meanwhile Tsunade reveals her new technique's power, which allows instant regeneration without the usage of hand seals, and throws the sword that impales her back at Madara. While he absorbs it into his Susanoo, Ōnoki tries to blast Madara with Dust Release from behind, but Madara simply absorbs it, claiming he could have done it earlier but instead took it as a chance to demoralise them with Hashirama 's visage. Tsunade questions his confidence, stating the Kage forced him into using a wood clone. Instead of rebuffing her, Madara admits five versus one is a good match-up number and creates twenty-five wood clones, five for each Kage. Sasuke attempts to kill Kabuto, but Itachi stops him, explaining the need to discover the counter to the Impure World Reincarnation beforehand. Sasuke agrees to cooperate on the terms that Itachi will answer his questions once they're done, and Itachi accepts, as both brothers and Kabuto ready themselves for battle.

Chapter 579
Closing his hood and stating that he was an introverted person and as such it was unsettling to be stared at by so many people, Kabuto sends his snakes charging towards Sasuke and Itachi. The brothers are able to fend this attack off, however Kabuto uses this opportunity to hide in one of his snakes. Here, Kabuto reveals the abilities that he had gained from experimenting with Sasuke's former teammates: Karin 's healing abilities (which derive from her being an Uzumaki ), a similar ability to Suigetsu 's Hydrification Technique as well as Jūgo 's ability to absorb the forces of nature. After revealing that he had found and trained at the Ryūchi Cave — much to Itachi's shock — he narrowly dodges Sasuke's attack. Emerging from the snake's mouth he reveals that he had finally surpassed Orochimaru and was able to become a sage and declares that he was now a dragon after Sasuke calls him an imperfect snake like Orochimaru.

Chapter 580
Kabuto launches his technique at the Uchiha brothers. As Itachi rushes over to Sasuke, a blinding light and violent air vibrations suddenly erupt. Sasuke and Itachi are paralysed by the air vibrations, but Kabuto is still able to move because of his liquified body and can still see because of the brille over his eyes. Kabuto goes after Sasuke first. Itachi protects him with Susanoo. Itachi explains that he already knows where Kabuto's going to attack, so he can act according and explains that he's not a sensor, Nagato was. Kabuto jumps onto the ceiling. Itachi tells Sasuke to remember the plan they used when they went on a mission together. Sasuke remembering hunting a huge boar as he puts the plan into action with his brother. Sasuke thinks he has Kabuto, but then is shocked to see Kabuto off to the side stabbing Itachi. Itachi's body is revealed to be a crow clone, and the real Itachi counterattacks, cutting off a piece of Kabuto's horn. Itachi and Sasuke remember their time together and prepare to catch the "snake" as Kabuto states it would take some time to get used to having horns.

Chapter 581
Amused at the fact that though Sasuke should hate Itachi, the two seemed to be getting along well, Kabuto Yakushi states that he understands that something might have happened during the brothers' battle, could not understand what Sasuke could want from a dead person. After hearing Sasuke declare that he wanted to know the truth, Kabuto surmises that Sasuke was suspicious of his brother, having already heard the truth and as such never returned to Konohagakure because of his intent to destroy it for making his brother suffer. Calling Itachi a liar and stating that he had gone as far as to eradicate his entire clan in order to protect the village, he asks Sasuke whether or not what he was doing was more akin to his own goals of wanting to continue what Orochimaru started and destroy Konoha. Attempting to inveigle him to his side once again, Sasuke has a flashback of a conversation he overheard with a group of Konoha-nin bad-mouthing Itachi after which he declares that he was nothing like Kabuto and that crushing Konoha was his own ambition. Recalling his life in Konoha, Kabuto begins to renounce the village and tells Sasuke that he would be his new brother. Telling his brother not to listen to Kabuto, Itachi commences his plan of action, telling his brother that he would use one of the clan's ultimate dōjutsu. Believing it to be Izanagi, Sasuke questions his brother on this. Itachi however corrects his brother as he clashes with Kabuto while wielding Sasuke's sword telling him that this was a technique that can decide destiny.

Chapter 582
Kabuto attacked the Uchiha brothers with his Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation technique, causing the cave formations to attack them. Having used his Susanoo to protect Sasuke, Itachi was incapacitated between the rocks. As Kabuto retrieved a talisman from his snake, he attempted to rewrite Itachi's mind. Sasuke created a ring of Amaterasu flames to prevent Kabuto from taking any further action. Commending Sasuke's strategy, Kabuto told him nonetheless that they were not capable of defeating him. Continuing to brag about his accomplishments, he states that of anyone currently alive, he had come the closest to the Sage of the Six Paths and that compared to him, the Uchiha were nothing. This prompts Sasuke to lash out at him, but he was stopped by a fully-regenerated Itachi. Itachi told Kabuto that he reminded him of his former self though the two of them were very different. He then told him that because he did not understand his own limitations, the value of comrades and who he really was, he was doomed to fail as he did when he was alive. With this, Kabuto retorted that they were the ones that knew nothing about him and that for his whole life, he had tried to find who he really was. Kabuto also had a flashback to his earliest memory of being found by Nonō and Urushi. He then stated that for his whole life, he had nothing.

Chapter 583
Kabuto reminisced on the time when the orphanage aided several Konohagakure shinobi by healing them. Asked by Orochimaru, who thought his skills were impressive whether or not he had thought of being a shinobi, to which Kabuto declined. Nonō was later approached by Danzō Shimura, Orochimaru and another unknown shinobi, who blackmailed her into undertaking an intelligence gathering mission based on the intel they received on Iwagakure 's attack plans. Taking Kabuto along with them to replace a dead Root member, the young man was sent on several spy missions in different hidden villages inclusive of the Five Great Shinobi Countries. On a mission in Iwagakure, his cover was blown and as he attempted to escape he was confronted by an Iwa-nin. Kabuto attacked the ninja with his chakra scalpel severely wounding the enemy. This person turned out to be Nonō much to Kabuto's shock as he tried to heal her. She however did not remember him, which devastated Kabuto who ran off and left her as Kitsuchi and another Iwa-nin approached them. Devastated that she did not remember him and wondering who he was, Kabuto was once again approached by Orochimaru who stated that he had become quite the shinobi.

Chapter 584
Kabuto was startled by Orochimaru 's approach. Orochimaru said he's been watching Kabuto and Nonō for a long time, and invited him to come with him, promising to reveal to him the reason Nonō attacked him and didn't recognise him. Orochimaru then took Kabuto to his medically-equipped hideout, telling Kabuto he's the first person he had brought there. Kabuto questioned Orochimaru on why he brought him there, and Orochimaru was pleased with his enquiring nature. Orochimaru reveals that Root designed for Kabuto and Nonō to kill each other, as they became too skilled as spies, and that their knowledge made them too dangerous. Orochimaru explained that Danzō told Nonō the reason Kabuto joined Root, and she begged him to free Kabuto. Danzō agreed, provided she killed one man, which turned out to be Kabuto, though she wasn't told of this. Orochimaru showed Kabuto photos Nonō was shown through the years, as proof Kabuto was growing up. At some point, the photos were changed, showing someone other than Kabuto, making Nonō believe Kabuto was someone else, living a civilian life, and being sent on missions on different countries, they would never meet. Kabuto figured Orochimaru was sent to kill the one who survived. Orochimaru told him he's correct, and Kabuto attacked him viciously, all the while asking who he is now that the only person who knew him was gone. Orochimaru regurgitates himself, and told Kabuto he's not who he thinks, and that he was like him. He explained to Kabuto that he was the research he made, always changing himself, adding knowledge and skills, and that he valued Kabuto's skill, that being the reason why he assembled that hideout. He added that he planned to create Otogakure, a village without country, and fashioned Kabuto a new background. Kabuto became Orochimaru's spy, pretending to be a spy for Sasori in order to learn about Akatsuki, and aided Orochimaru in his experiments through the years. After Orochimaru's defeat at Sasuke 's hand, Kabuto injected himself with blood from Orochimaru's true form's remains, looking for his true self.

Chapter 585
Having finished reminiscing about his childhood, Kabuto tells the brothers that after assimilating Orochimaru 's DNA, he continued to add things to himself and that as his pawns were a show of his own power and that he would not allow Itachi to oppose him. Even though Itachi rejects what Kabuto says, Kabuto presses on with his attack. As Sakon emerges from the base of his navel snake, he has him use his Attack of the Twin Demons technique to transform into Jirōbō, who then uses the Earth Release: Earth Shore Return technique to part the circle of flames that the Uchiha siblings had created around themselves. Giving them no time to react, he brings forth Kidōmaru next and has him use the Spider Web Unrolling technique to trap the brothers — who use Amaterasu to incinerate the uncuttable web. Moving behind the brothers and producing Kimimaro next, he has him use the Dance of the Seedling Fern technique to block the area behind them while also creating another web in front of them, effectively caging the brothers in. After they manage to escape, Kabuto uses Tayuya and her Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains technique to attack the siblings with an auditory genjutsu effectively incapacitating them. Bringing forth Orochimaru himself finally, Kabuto has him transform into his white snake form and attack the brothers. They however find a way to escape the genjutsu and fend the snake off by casting genjutsu on each other. Kabuto, however, appears from the mouth of the snake with a surprise attack and bisects Itachi, stating that a genius that has had everything would not understand him wanting to find his true self and then declared that no one would stand in his way with this.

Chapter 586
Regenerating, Itachi called out to Sasuke as Kabuto moved to implant his talisman to rewrite Itachi's mind. Responding, Sasuke threw his sword at Kabuto. Kabuto caught the sword with his navel-snake, and dodged the grasp of Sasuke's Susanoo. Sasuke launched a fireball at Kabuto who countered it with a large torrent of water which swept Sasuke off his feet. Through the mist created from the two clashing techniques, Kabuto noticed that Itachi, whom he stabbed with the sword for him disappeared into a flurry of crows and attack Kabuto with the sword he took from him. Chastising him for using the same attack pattern he had used before to cut his horn off, to which Itachi rebuffs that he cannot be harmed also refuting Kabuto's claims that genjutsu cannot affect him, stating that it already had. This sequence of events repeats itself once again until Kabuto begins to notice the déjà vu, regardless of what he did differently. It was ultimately revealed that the entire battle was taking place within Kabuto's head, as he was trapped within Izanami.

Chapter 587
Using this time, Sasuke questioned his brother about Izanami. Itachi explained the mechanism behind the technique, the history of their clan, their use of Izanagi and why Izanami was created. He then told his brother that Kabuto would be freed from Izanami once he accepted his fate. Somewhat angered that Itachi would use a technique that the victim could escape, Sasuke questioned his brother who told him that he wanted to give Kabuto the opportunity to accept his fate — something he himself could not do during his lifetime. This explanation only served to irate Sasuke more who believed his brother to be perfect, but Itachi refuses this claim. All throughout this, Kabuto continued to battle on in his mind, refusing to give up. Elsewhere on the battlefield, a grown up Urushi, told one of his comrades about his home and hoped that by the time he got back, his brother, Kabuto, would be there. Meanwhile at the cave, Itachi prepared to end the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation.

Naruto, Volume 62

Chapter 588
As Kabuto remains incapacitated by Izanami, Sasuke questions whether undoing the Impure World Reincarnation would not mean Itachi would disappear as well. Declaring that he no longer had any attachment to the world of the living, Itachi notes that he was proud to be able to protect Konohagakure once more. Enraged to hear Itachi's motives, Sasuke states that while he could forgive his brother, he could never forgive the village for what they had done. This leads Itachi to tell his little brother that he won't be the one to change him and that he was doing this to aid Naruto Uzumaki — whom he had entrusted that task to. Itachi then proceeds to raise the brille over Kabuto's eyes and uses genjutsu to order Kabuto to teach him the hand seals needed to stop the Impure World Reincarnation. Meanwhile, the five Kage struggle to hold their own against Madara 's twenty-five Susanoo -clad wood clones. Amidst all the struggles, Ōnoki rallies them to fight on having been entrusted with a great task at which they could not fail. Madara notes that he needed to break Ōnoki's will as it was the most troublesome of all. Rallying to each other's side, Tsunade transfers chakra to Ōnoki who uses a large-scale Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique which succeeds in obliterating the twenty-five clones and part of the real Madara, in one fell swoop. Splitting the cube down the middle, Mei unleashes a Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique which A charges with lightning. This makes contact with Madara effectively slowing down his response time. As Madara prepares to counter, it is revealed that sand was also concealed in the dragon which Gaara uses to bind Madara's movements further in order to create an opening for Ōnoki to use another Dust Release thus giving time to seal him during the regeneration process. After they declared that this was the power of the five Kage, Madara compliments them stating that he would respond with his full power as well. He then unleashes the complete version of his Susanoo stating that it would help them realise just how futile their efforts have been, regardless of being Kage.

Chapter 589
The five Kage look on in shock as Madara unleashes his Susanoo. After stabilising the construct, Tsunade questions whether her grandfather really fought against someone who was so much stronger than five Kage put together. Madara responds by saying that Hashirama was the only one who could defeat him and then states that it was a good thing that he wasn't here as the extent of damage to the surrounding landscape would be on a much smaller scale as he sends the Kage flying with one swing from his sword — destroying the mountain range behind him in the process. Realising his full power, Ōnoki questions whether or not Madara had gone easy on him and Mū in the past, to which Madara states that why an adult should fight seriously against children. As the Kage stand to face Madara nonetheless, Ōnoki then states that they would not back down now, causing Madara to resolve himself to crushing their beliefs. Elsewhere, Itachi then commands Kabuto to use the hand seals he had just stated to end the Impure World Reincarnation. Sasuke uses this time to state his resolve to Itachi and that he will destroy the village because of what it did to him before bidding farewell to Itachi. As the technique is released, the reincarnated shinobi from all-over the battlefield begin to deconstruct. Upon seeing this, a battered Naruto and B thanks Itachi and uses it as motivation to wrap things up with Tobi as well. Before being completely decommissioned, Itachi heads towards his little brother with his hand outstretched, stating that he could still make it.

Chapter 590
With the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation finally released, all the reincarnated shinobi began to fade into pillars of light. As the battle between Tobi and Naruto ensues, Naruto charges at him, stating that his opponents were in front of him as Tobi contemplates the fact that Kabuto had seemingly been defeated. Meanwhile, the five Kage struggle to combat Madara, as he is about to deal another blow with his sword, Madara's Susanoo suddenly dissipates and he is enveloped in a beam of light, causing him to wonder what happened to the summoner. Back at the cave, Itachi uses the last of his consciousness to show Sasuke his memories of the Uchiha Clan Downfall, showing him how he came into possession of Shisui Uchiha 's Sharingan, Konoha leadership's decision to move against the Uchiha clan's coup d'etat, his meeting with Tobi and ending with Fugaku and Mikoto 's last words to Itachi. With the entire truth about the massacre revealed, Itachi told Sasuke that even if he never forgave him, and no matter what he decided to do from that point on, he would love him forever.

Chapter 591
After imparting his final words to Sasuke, Itachi 's soul is released from the Impure World Reincarnation. On different battlefields, all the other reincarnated shinobi's souls are being released, as the five Kage realise what was happening, they wonder who had released the technique with Ōnoki noting that whomever it was, was a hero to the shinobi world. Regaining dominion over his movements, Dan asks Chōza to have them remove the barrier which sealed him. When the barrier is released, Chōza notes the hand seals Dan used, realises his intentions and tells him to hurry and go to Tsunade. Using his Spirit Transformation Technique to take control of his then-ascending soul, Dan flies to Tsunade's location in time to take over her body and save her from Madara — who though was being released from the Impure World Reincarnation, was still making a desperate attempt to kill the Kage. Speaking with Tsunade in her subconscious, before disappearing Dan tells Tsunade that he would wait for her in the afterlife but not to follow after him just yet and leaves her with the remainder of his chakra, thus restoring her Strength of a Hundred Seal. After returning to the real world, Tsunade and the other Kage watch in some confusion, wondering why Madara hadn't stopped moving as yet. He then explains that if the reincarnated know the seals to end the summoning contract of the Impure World Reincarnation, they could sever ties from the summoner. With this, Madara performs the seals to sever the contract and tells them to tell his summoner that he shouldn't use kinjutsu so arbitrarily.

Chapter 592
Reflecting on Itachi 's last words, Sasuke is tormented with questions about important aspects of a shinobi 's life; including his clan, his friends and about his own existence. While deep in thought, the ceiling of the cave breaks open, but Sasuke manages to dodge the falling debris and Suigetsu appears, along with Jūgo, stating that they had finally found Sasuke. Meanwhile on the battlefield, the five Kage are still amazed to find Madara still intact even after the Impure World Reincarnation was released. Madara exclaims that after fighting him, they might have realised he was not the type of shinobi to be under someone else's control. He also states that anyone that had seen his perfect form of his Susanoo had to die but laments that it would be a disgrace and defeatist to manifest it once again. Elsewhere, Naruto, Kakashi, Guy, and Killer B are still fighting Tobi and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path with Naruto provoking Tobi to take off his mask despite Kakashi's warnings not to irate the enemy. Seemingly resigned to his actions, Tobi summons the Benihisago and the Kohaku no Jōhei, and while remembering the fragments of the chakra he had collected from the Eight and Nine-Tails laments that he wanted to revive the Ten-Tails in perfect condition but even at a fragments of its power, it was still the same. Back at Kabuto 's location, Jūgo realises that Anko Mitarashi is still alive and alerts Sasuke to the fact that Madara was still in the living world, shocking Sasuke. As Sasuke questions them why they were still following him, Suigetsu tells him that they had found something interesting and hands Sasuke the scroll which they found at one of Orochimaru 's hideouts. Rendered speechless for a moment by the content, Sasuke says that he is willing to meet with Orochimaru which shocked Suigetsu and Jūgo but Sasuke noted that Orochimaru was not one to die so easily even if he was killed. Standing up, Sasuke states that he was going to meet " the ones who know everything ".

Chapter 593
Despite Suigetsu 's vehement and somewhat manic opposition to reviving Orochimaru plying Sasuke with several different reasons not to proceed, Sasuke is resigned to his decision. Moving to execute Sasuke's orders, Jūgo retrieves some of Kabuto 's DNA using his Sage Transformation abilities, much to Suigetsu's disgust. After Jūgo places the DNA on Anko 's Cursed Seal of Heaven, Sasuke uses the Evil Releasing Method to revive Orochimaru using the remnants of his life force left within Anko. Retreating behind Kabuto as Orochimaru emerges, Suigetsu sheepishly greets his former captor, who notes that he was abreast of the situation having been able to observe everything from within Anko, further shocking them when he tells them he has no interest in the war that was currently going on. And instead, still had his sights set on Sasuke's body, but was unable to steal it in his current state. Showing him the scroll he was given, Sasuke tells Orochimaru that he wanted to hear everything from its source, leading Orochimaru to question him about whether or not he had wavered from his path of revenge, to which Sasuke denies. Moving over to the immobile Kabuto — which prompts Suigetsu to run to the other side of the cave — Orochimaru drains Kabuto of his chakra, causing Kabuto to revert to his pre-implantation of Orochimaru's DNA appearance. Noting to himself that Sasuke had changed since he last saw him, Orochimaru beckons him to follow him and tells him that they were going somewhere he himself knew well.

Chapter 594
While analysing the situation before them, the shinobi are told by Tobi to witness as the Ten-Tails was revived and with it, the beginning of the world's demise. Confused that Tobi would be able to do this, Kakashi notes that the war was all for the sake of preventing Akatsuki from attaining Gyūki and Kurama and since his side still had the tailed beasts, wonders whether Tobi was lying. But recalling the fact that they had used a clone made from its chakra during the fight with Taka, Gyūki reminds B and the others that Akatsuki may actually have its chakra. Kurama then notes that its chakra was also present in the Benihisago and Kohaku no Jōhei which the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path had consumed and requests Naruto to switch with it so it could explain to the others. As the fox explains the story behind the two Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, the Gold and Silver Brothers and how they had come to attain its chakra, Kakashi corroborates Kurama's story with the intel received from headquarters. With this, Kakashi notes that he would like them to do something before the beast was revived, leading Tobi to retort that because Kakashi had always spoken so easily, it had led him to live a life full of regret. Guy questions Tobi once again on who he was, but Tobi simply responds that it would make no sense to tell him because Guy didn't remember faces. Interjecting, Kurama tells them that as Kakashi said, now was the only time to do something about the situation as the Sage of Six Paths had told them that the revival of the Ten-Tails signalled the end of the world. Answering Naruto's questioning of the Ten-Tails' power, Kurama tells him of the beast's might and the fact that amongst all the names it was known by it was also seen as the progenitor of all that existed in the world. The fox then goes on to state that though even it alone would stand no chance against the Ten-Tails, it may be possible since Tobi did not possess all of Gyūki and its own chakra. Tobi however rebuffs this stating that he only needed the beast to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi on the world. Switching back with Kurama, Naruto declares his dreams to Tobi, with Guy, Kakashi, and even B — who reveals his fetish for middle-aged women's breasts to those present (much to Gyūki's shock) — rally behind him. As Tobi launches into another speech, Naruto enters his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode and attempts to land a high-speed Rasengan attack on the statue, but Tobi blocks it with his gunbai prompting Naruto to state that it seems as though he really would have to bash Tobi's mask in first. Tobi responds, noting that there was one thing he could not part with, and then declares that he would not let them touch the statue.

Chapter 595
Formulating their strategy as Naruto produces a shadow clone, the shinobi agree that the use of feint attacks would be crucial in this battle because of Tobi 's abilities. Moving directly towards Tobi, Naruto uses the Super Mini-Tailed Beast Ball while Kakashi asks B to hoist him into the air as he activates his Mangekyō Sharingan. Deciding that it was best to avoid direct contact, Guy takes out his pair of Nunchaku. Tobi, wielding his gunbai is able to stave off Naruto's attacks but ultimately has a harder time at things once Guy joins the fray. Using his nunchaku to counter Tobi's gunbai, Guy is able to send the masked man throttling towards Naruto and his Super Mini-Tailed Beast Ball. Using that opportunity, Kakashi activates Kamui with the intention of ripping the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path 's neck off. However, the statue — which by this time was bleeding from the eyes and metamorphosing — is seemingly able to nullify the attack which confused Kakashi greatly, who immediately thinks of a possible reason for this, but it was not revealed what his thoughts were. As Naruto's attack is about to make contact, Tobi teleports, prompting Naruto to sense his intent and evade Tobi emerging from the ground directly below him in a surprise attack. Dodging the initial attack, Naruto, now separated from the others, has a harder time blocking Tobi's gunbai. Kakashi imbues a kunai with the Lightning Release and once again calls out to B. Launching him across the battlefield, Kakashi easily cuts through a rock that separated him from Naruto and then launches the kunai at Tobi. Forced to become intangible, but not one to give up so easily, Tobi changed the trajectory of the kunai and sends it hurtling towards Naruto. Telling him to ignore the kunai, Kakashi uses Kamui once again to warp the kunai away. Regrouping as the last attack seemingly fails to land, the shinobi wonder how they were going to defeat Tobi. Just then, a tiny crack appears on Tobi's mask.

Chapter 596
Noticing a slight crack on Tobi 's mask, Guy and Naruto thought that Naruto's last attack had actually hit the mask; however Kakashi disagrees, noting that the type of crack was not consistent with a punch, but a sharper object. Kakashi then remembers the lightning -imbued kunai he had thrown earlier at Tobi and had warped away with Kamui. B takes the opportunity to strike the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path as it continues to transform into the Ten-Tails, but the attack is deflected when Tobi erected a barrier, rendering the team powerless to strike the statue until they defeated him. After he had finished formulating his strategy, Kakashi then tells the group to aid him in testing his hypothesis. They then leapt unto B's hand, who launched them directly at Tobi, commencing the plan. Guy starts off using his Sōshūga only for Tobi to avoid it using his dematerialisation ability, predicting Guy's moves with his Sharingan. Jeering Tobi, Guy gets the masked man to absorb his nunchaku rendering him tangible. This allows Naruto to follow up quickly by launching a Rasengan, which Tobi phases through, insisting on the futileness of the strategy. However, the Rasengan seemingly dispersed before passing through Tobi, continued by a sudden explosion that inflicted his right arm and hurled him away, having him to get on his feet again thanks to his weapon. Tobi then realised that the attack was transported to the other dimension using Kamui, just as he was about to materialise. Realising Tobi's ability now, Kakashi notes that Tobi was not using two separate techniques to dematerialise and warp things away, but a single technique.

Chapter 597
Urging Kakashi to explain it in the simplest way possible so that they could readjust their strategy, Guy and the others listen on as Kakashi explains that Tobi 's ability to become intangible and absorb things were one and the same. He then explains that when he makes himself intangible, what Tobi actually does is to warp away the part of his body that was being attacked to the other dimension; so while it existed there, all attacks would simply phase through his body. However, since Kamui shares the same dimension, the lightning -enhanced kunai that Kakashi warped away, passed through the "intangible" part of Tobi's body and ended up in the other dimension and scratched the part of his body that was sent there in order to make him appear intangible. When questioned by B how it was possible that their two techniques were linked to the same dimension, a hesitant Guy began to question Kakashi, but the latter cuts across him to ask Tobi directly where he got the Sharingan from. Responding, he told them that he got it during the previous war at the Kannabi Bridge at a time when Kakashi was being recognised as the "Hero of the Sharingan" ( 写輪眼の英雄, Sharingan no Eiyū, literally meaning: Hero of the Copy Wheel Eye). With the Copy Ninja at a loss for words, Tobi takes the opportunity to chastise him and perpetrate his Eye of the Moon Plan as the right move for humanity, but his views are still rejected by Naruto who tells him that he would not give up his dreams. Taking the opportunity to chastise his beliefs as well, Tobi questions Naruto on how he would feel when he failed Jiraiya and Minato. Telling its jinchūriki to switch with it, however, Kurama speaks directly to Tobi telling him that it was entrusted to Naruto, who had befriended him, for the exact reason of defeating Tobi. Spurring the young man onwards, Naruto enters his Tailed Beast Mode and charges towards the masked man.

Naruto, Volume 63

Chapter 598
Charging forward, Naruto attacks Tobi using a giant chakra arms which Tobi simply phases through, chiding the boy of thinking that he could defeat him on his own. As Guy tries to snap Kakashi out of the shock brought on from Tobi's revelation, they see the masked man send three giant shuriken hurtling towards Naruto from the other dimension. Catching two of them on his tentacles, one of B and Gyūki 's tentacles is cut by the third but is stopped by Naruto who retorts Tobi's earlier remark by telling he's never truly alone as he has Kurama and the others supporting him. Now motivated by Guy to act, Kakashi notes that he had to time the next use of his Kamui perfectly, despite Tobi chastising his " borrowed power " and stated intentions of showing him Kamui's true potential. Acting immediately, Tobi jumps into the air and sends out a number of chakra receiver stakes which pierce B and Gyūki. Warning Naruto not to let them touch him as it sealed off the tailed beasts ' power, Naruto creates a shadow clone while being protected by Gyūki. While a clone charged forward with the Rasengan, the original prepared the Tailed Beast Ball. As the clone prepares to attack, Kakashi seemingly warps away the Rasengan again while Tobi — seeing the same attack pattern — decides to attack the clone with one of the stakes, rather than having him go through him. With the clone seemingly dispelled, Tobi phases through the Tailed Beast Ball, and fully enters the other dimension. There, Tobi is shocked to see Naruto and realises that Kakashi had warped the clone there to wait for him. Declaring that he had nowhere to run, Naruto slams the Rasengan into Tobi's face, shattering the mask with Naruto asking his enemy who he is.

Chapter 599
Arriving late for the Academy entrance exam, Obito Uchiha is stunned to see the huge crowd of young shinobi present. After exchanging glares with Kakashi Hatake, Obito is given his entrance papers by Rin Nohara. During the Chūnin Exams, after arriving late for the second round of the exam which was to take place in the Forest of Death, Obito, alongside his teammates Kakashi and Rin, faces off against Might Guy, Ebisu and Genma Shiranui in a group battle. Wanting to impress Rin, Obito moved to the fore and prepared to attack the group with a Fire Release technique, but the sweet he had been given by the elderly lady whom he had helped with her luggage had slipped down his throat. Guy used this opportunity to unceremoniously kick Obito — unknowingly saving his life in the process. After receiving medical attention from Rin, the two converse, with Obito indicating his pride in being a member of the Uchiha clan and expressing the wish to become Hokage. Training arduously for the third round of the Chūnin Exams, Obito later faces Guy in the individual matches, but is quickly defeated despite expressing his confidence in winning prior to the start of the match. As Rin cheers Kakashi on when he defeats Guy in a subsequent match, Obito appears jealous and resigned over Rin's lack of reciprocation of his hidden feelings. After becoming a chūnin, Obito is approached by Rin, and intends to confess his feelings for her, only to become too embarrassed and soon overlooked by Kakashi's recent promotion to jōnin. Shortly after, Obito dies during a mission with his team. But in the present day, as the mask falls away from Tobi's face, Kakashi and Guy are very shocked to see that Tobi is in fact their old comrade Obito Uchiha.

Chapter 600
Shocked by this revelation, Kakashi and Guy started asking the once masked man whether he truly was Obito, but upon seeing his Mangekyō Sharingan, Kakashi noted that there was no doubt about it. However, Obito reiterated his point that it was insignificant what they called him, and all that mattered to him was his Eye of the Moon Plan. Kakashi had a flashback to the time when Obito died, and then asked whether he had survived the cave in. This led Naruto to ask them who the person in front of them was. Guy answered that he was a former classmate of theirs who supposedly died during the Third Shinobi World War. Kakashi, still in shock, asked Obito that if he had survived then why had he not made this fact known until now. Obito retorts that whether he survived or not was unimportant. However, if Kakashi really had to have an answer to why Obito had done what he did, it was simply because Kakashi had failed to protect Rin. Even more devastated by this response, Kakashi asked him if he was going to blame him for it. Obito answered that he did not see any point in blaming this useless reality which would disappear soon enough. Naruto tried to rally his sensei, telling him that right now, Obito's plan needed to be stopped and that he would listen to the story later. Obito used the Fire Release: Blast Wave Wild Dance technique sending a giant vortex of flames towards his opponents. Kakashi, unable to register what was happening, simply stood there despite Guy calling out to him. Naruto, however, intercepted the attacks with Kurama 's tails. Before any side could act further, they were interrupted by Madara 's appearance on their battlefield. Standing beside the younger Uchiha, the legendary shinobi remarked that Obito seemed to be having fun, much to the onlookers' surprise.

Chapter 601
As Madara arrived on the battlefield, Naruto, Kakashi, Guy and B were all shocked to see the legendary shinobi before them, leading them to wonder what had happened to the Kage. As Madara and Obito casually carried on their conversation, Madara noted that the Naruto in front of them was also a clone. Madara tells the jinchūriki that the Kage were probably not doing well much to the latter's enragement. Elsewhere, Tsunade, who had been split into two, managed to summon Katsuyu. Katsuyu was distressed at Tsunade's condition and immediately wanted to piece her back together. However Tsunade told the giant slug to bring the other Kage to her as there might still be time to save them. Back on the battlefield, Obito returned Madara's gunbai to him in time for the famed Uchiha to block a volley of black receivers which Naruto had sent flying at the two of them. After hearing the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Madara asked Obito why he started the plan half-way through without the Eight and the Nine-Tails being captured and deemed his actions as hasty. He also accredited the manner in which he was brought back to the world of the living as being due to Obito's haste and questioned him about what had happened to Nagato and the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique that was supposed to bring him back. Upon hearing that they wanted to use his fellow disciple in this manner, an enraged Naruto moved to attack them with a Super Mini-Tailed Beast Ball. Madara, however, blocked the attack and sent the force back at the clone, expelling it. Concluding the fact that the young Uchiha must have a plan, Madara moved to capture the Eight and the Nine-Tails, leaving Obito to deal with Guy and Kakashi. Kakashi used this opportunity to question his old friend about what had happened to him and Obito had a flashback of being heavily bandaged and stitched together in a place that an old and wizened Madara referred to as being between the land of living and the dead.

Chapter 602
Disoriented, Obito asks Madara whether he was also an Uchiha after seeing his Sharingan, then after seeing his scythe, whether he was a Shinigami who had come to take him to heaven or hell. Obito panics pleading to the thought-to-be Shinigami to spare him from hell because throughout his life, his actions had not been all that bad. As the young Uchiha winced in pain from his sudden movement, Madara tells him to take that pain as a sign that he was still alive, however barely. Madara then tells the young man that it was he who saved him after he appeared in his underground passage, but in return, Obito must repay him his debt. Obito, however, tells the old man that he can't stay too long for he still had friends to protect as a war was still ongoing. Madara chastises Obito, telling him that with his body in the current state that it was, he could no longer be a shinobi. Dismaying, that he had finally awoken the power to protect his comrades, Madara lectures Obito about the reality of the shinobi world and all its ills. Obito then notices the change in demeanour the old man had, though Obito is still adamant that he wants to leave leading Madara to state that he was free to leave, if he was able to do so. Obito then begins to wonder what an old man with a Sharingan was doing in a place such as this. He finally questions the elder on who he was, asking whether or not he was a missing-nin. Madara, now seated, however, responds stating that he was " a ghost of the Uchiha ": Madara Uchiha. In shocked disbelief, Obito states that the man before him could not be his ancestor as Madara had died during his fight with Hashirama Senju decades ago. The elder explains to the young Uchiha that he escaped death and that he needs constant chakra supply from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to survive or he would die right away. Aggravated, Obito forces himself out of bed stating that he would go back to Konoha. Madara then warns him that moving will probably rip off the artificial body which he had to use on him. Madara repeats again that Obito needs to do what he says from now on. Obito angrily asks what Madara wants to which he simply replies that he wanted to create a perfect world, but Obito is still adamant, determined to protect his friends. Still weak, Madara explains to Obito that he will take his Sharingan if he dies trying to force himself to leave, noting that he himself was using another's eye, having left his own to someone else and the Sharingan requires two eyes to bring out their true potential. Thinking to himself, Obito states that he can't waste time, and tells Kakashi and Rin to wait for him as he was still alive.

Chapter 603
Left to the company of White Zetsu and another with a spiral-like facial pattern, Obito becomes thoroughly annoyed at the duo, who are fascinated with how human bodily functions work — not having the need themselves to eat, drink, or even use the bathroom. Telling them not to lump him in with their lot, Obito notes that only half of him was made of artificial material. Stating that they were supposed to help Obito with his rehabilitation until Madara woke up, the duo began to question Obito about why he kept repeating a bell sound and " stupid Kakashi " during his slumber. After explaining that the third clone had gone outside to gather information and that they were able to move through the earth, the two Zetsu begin to recite Madara's plans for world peace. Disregarding this, Obito once again states his resolve to leave this place and join Rin and Kakashi, thus began his painful rehabilitation while remembering his time with Rin and Kakashi with his memories being trying to kiss a picture of Rin even after taping out Kakashi's face and later after training trying to give Rin a signal that he loves her, only for Obito to discover much to his annoyance that Rin was looking at Kakashi, not Obito. After one training incident that leaves Obito suffering from a wound in his hand, Rin patches him up and tells him it's not good of Obito to hide his wounds because she's looking after him. In the present and after what seems to be a fair amount of time passing, Obito, whose hair has noticeably grown longer, is able to use the artificial limbs perfectly. One day, White Zetsu returned to the hideout and alerted Obito that his comrades were in danger, surrounded by Kirigakure shinobi. Leaping into action, Obito tries to break out of the cave, but only manages to crack the rock and tear off his right arm. The spiral-patterned Zetsu offers up himself as a suit of sorts and encases the young Uchiha, who prepares to head out.

Chapter 604
Accessing the power of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path while connected to Hashirama's living clone, impressing the original White Zetsu, a Tobi -encased Obito is able to break the boulder used to cover one of the passage ways. An awakened Madara asks whether or not the young Uchiha was leaving and despite Obito thanking Madara for saving his life, Madara disregards it stating that he would be back to thank him more sincerely. With White Zetsu ready to remotely give his clone directions, Obito dons a cloak before leaving. As he rushes towards his friends' location, he receives updates about the situation, and learns that Minato is not with them. The clone then tells Obito that as he was weaker than him, it would be best to let him fight in his stead, but Obito refutes this stating that Kakashi had his other Sharingan, and his combination with him would be better. As the clone tells him about the additional benefits of having the Senju and Uchiha DNA, Obito believes that it is raining before he sees giant geysers of water rising up from the earth due to explosions. Continuing to that location, Obito begins to see flashes of Rin from his left eye socket with a hand running through her chest. Believing these to be nothing more than phantom images, the young Uchiha presses on only to arrive on the battlefield to see Kakashi's hand run through Rin's chest.

Chapter 605
As Kakashi releases Rin from his grip, both he and Obito watch her die, causing them to awaken their Mangekyō Sharingan. As Kakashi passes out, Obito flies into a fit of rage and disbelief which catches the attention of the Kirigakure ninja. Wooden spikes begin to grow from Obito's right side as he commences his assault. Mercilessly, Obito uses a combination of Kamui and the Wood Release: Cutting Technique to kill all the Kiri-nin on the battlefield. Amazed that the young Uchiha could already use Wood Release, Tobi noted that he now knew why Madara had chosen the young man. Realising that they could not win, the Kiri-nin decide to pull out but not before retrieving Rin's body. Obito, who was not about to let any such thing happen, slips through several more Kiri-nin and then slaughters the ninja that had tried to retrieve Rin's body. All the while questioning where he was, a blood-spattered Obito crushes the remaining Kiri-nin between giant branches, and as he stands in a pool of his opponents' blood, comes to the conclusion that he must be in hell.

Chapter 606
Still in disbelief, Obito walks over towards Rin 's body, with Madara and White Zetsu 's words echoing in his head. Phasing right through Kakashi 's body as he went, he stopped only when he had reached Rin's corpse. Initially phasing through the kunoichi 's body as he tried to check her pulse, Obito finally realises that she is in fact dead and as he cradled Rin's lifeless body, vowed to create a world where she was alive, and change the fate of this world. After returning to Madara, as the elder Uchiha had predicted, and hearing from White Zetsu that no one saw them, he beckons the young Uchiha to his side. Telling Obito to look into his left eye, Madara takes the young man to a genjutsu where as a means to explain his plans, made himself look younger before telling Obito the story of the Sage of the Six Paths and the Ten-Tails. Some time after this, Obito and Zetsu would travel to Amegakure to meet Nagato — a young man of Senju lineage that Madara had implanted his Rinnegan which he had awoken before shutting himself away from the world. Obito remembers Madara telling him that he had acquired the dōjutsu after implanting Senju DNA into his body, but not until he had neared the end of his lifespan, did the dōjutsu awaken. Madara would later explain that this allowed him to summon the empty shell of the Ten-Tails and use it as a catalyst to cultivate the Hashirama's living clone. Madara would then teach Obito how to control the statue, several Uchiha kinjutsu and Yin–Yang Release. He, at some point, put his will into half of White Zetsu, thus creating Black Zetsu, and also into Hashirama's living clone, causing a black receiver to extend from the clone's navel and told Obito to use it when performing the Six Paths Technique before breaking the connection to the statue. As life left the elder Uchiha's body, he told Obito to go until the time he was revived. At this point, Obito and Zetsu approach Nagato, with Obito announcing himself to be Madara Uchiha.

Chapter 607
Upon hearing who the man claims to be, Yahiko declares him to either be a criminal or an idiot for using the legend's name. Nagato, on the other hand, is eager to meet someone who knows more about the Rinnegan, but before he can approach Obito and Zetsu, a wary Yahiko escorts him and Konan away, telling the masked man not to approach them again. Before they leave, however, Obito tells Nagato that he would reappear at the same time and place everyday until Nagato realised that his words were true. Some time later, Obito returns to Konohagakure clad in his flame-patterned mask, and heads to the Konoha Cemetery, where he watches on as Kakashi Hatake stands over Rin Nohara 's grave. Eventually the young man leaves to visit the Memorial Stone, leaving flowers on her grave, and mentioning highly classified information, that their sensei's son would be born soon. Obito, spying on Kakashi from afar, approaches Rin's grave and angrily throws aside the flowers. Later, Obito subsequently utilises this information to his advantage, and when confronted by his former sensei, he remembers his first encounter with his team and then states that he no longer cared about this world. In present time, Naruto declares to Madara that he was Minato's son and would not be persuaded by him. Noting that he was being lenient because Naruto was a true jinchūriki, he declares that now, he would not hold back. Creating an enormous Wood Dragon, he notes that it had been used by Hashirama Senju in the past to bind the Nine-Tails, which prompts Naruto to manifest Kurama's body in Tailed Beast Mode to fight it. Kakashi asks Obito why he chose to follow someone like Madara, but the Uchiha notes that all that was left was for him and Kakashi to have their final fight as he had nothing left to say to him.

Naruto, Volume 64

Chapter 608
Obito Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake continue their battle, with the former unleashing a barrage of shuriken only to be stopped by Kakashi's wall of earth. As Obito slips through the wall, Kakashi continues to ask him why and to ask him if it is related to Rin, to which Obito tells him to shut up. Obito then warps Kakashi to the other dimension, but his victory is short lived, as Kakashi returns using Kamui. In the meantime, Madara 's Wood Dragon begins absorbing Kurama 's chakra, causing Naruto 's Tailed Beast Mode to falter. Obito begins to overwhelm Kakashi, bringing him to his knees. Madara uses Wood Release to bind Killer B and Might Guy, then begins to activate his Susanoo to finish things up on the battlefield. Resolved, Naruto notes that the Uchiha's ideals annoyed him to no end and, creating a shadow clone, he is able to stop both Obito's shuriken and Madara's Susanoo Sword from making killing blows on Kakashi and Guy respectively. Hearing Naruto's words that he would protect his friends, Kakashi and Guy both spring into action with the former using Lightning Cutter to destroy Obito's other shuriken and Guy using Daytime Tiger to attack Madara. Turning to his former comrade, Kakashi tells Obito that what he still remembered what he had taught him in the past and what he could do now, was protect Naruto.

Chapter 609
As Obito questions Kakashi statement that he would protect Naruto, the Copy Ninja's sentiments are echoed by Guy, who is severely weakened. Seeing this, Gyūki notes that all Konoha -nin liked to act tough before taking advantage of the loosened grip of its wooden restraints, warning Naruto that the Wood Release binding could suppress a tailed beasts power. Obito uses his own wood technique to attempt to restrain Naruto while he attacked Kakashi, but Naruto intercepts Tobi with a powerful headbutt, which sends him reeling. Gyūki then decides to attack the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path before the Ten-Tails could revive, leaving Obito to Naruto. Naruto declares that he can see Obito's suffering face, though Obito counters by saying it is Kakashi who is truly suffering. As Naruto notes that he had to do something for Kakashi, who was worn out, Kurama switches places with Naruto, and throws the Copy Ninja at Obito who warps him away to the other dimension, much to Naruto's shock. With no time to linger over this occurrence as Obito attacks, using Kamui to avoid Naruto's attack; he surprisingly starts to cough up blood. Kurama then reveals that Kakashi was attacking Obito from the other dimension and that it had given the shinobi some of its chakra when it threw him at Obito. As Kakashi returns to the real world thanking Kurama, Naruto and Killer B both combined their Tailed Beast Balls to create a massive sphere, firing it on the barrier containing the Demonic Statue. After the explosion, they note that the statue's chakra vanishes, causing Kakashi to question whether this is the end. However, when the smoke clears, the revived Ten-Tails appears, prompting Obito to declare that it is was indeed the end of this world. Elsewhere, a now-recovered Madara, though disappointed that he did not capture the Eight, and Nine-Tails, notes that they should begin their plan.

Chapter 610
Shocked to the see the Ten-Tails before them, Naruto surmises that they must have been tricked as he was unable to sense the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path 's malevolent chakra. However, Kurama tells the young man that it was impossible to sense the beast in the Tailed Beast Mode as the beast had neither feelings nor ideals and was akin to natural energy and that using Sage Mode to sense how powerful it was, would be a different matter. Meanwhile, Obito and Madara relocate atop the beast and attach themselves to it. Obito notes that he would like to commence the plan immediately, but Madara is more in favour of testing out the beast's power. As Naruto's attempt to gauge the Ten-Tails' power in Sage Mode ends in Naruto realising that it was indeed truly immeasurable, Kurama asks Gyūki to hand him Might Guy and Kakashi so he could restore their chakra. Taking command, Kurama devises a battle strategy to face the beast launching a continuous stream of Tailed Beast Balls, which culminates with Gyūki seemingly being decimated by the Ten-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball, but it was later revealed that Kakashi had warped it away while being launched by Naruto along with the latter's clone overhead the Ten-Tails where Kakashi released Gyūki who was aiming a Tailed Beast Ball right at the giant beast.

Chapter 611
As the Tailed Beast Ball bearing down upon the Ten-Tails, Madara and Obito have the beast simply flick the ball back at Gyūki, leaving Naruto's shadow clone, and Kakashi open for an attack. After the clone successfully pushes Kakashi out of the way, Obito reflects on how much Naruto was like himself before the Ten-Tails' attack disperses the shadow clone and sends Gyūki flying. With the Tailed Beast Mode and B 's full transformation at their limits, Kurama and Gyūki tell Naruto and B to buy them some time while they generate more chakra to use. As the opposition notices this, and his team-mates already somewhat incapacitated, Naruto prepares to create more shadow clones which Madara chides him for, calling him incompetent. Kakashi also echoes these sentiments and Obito goes on to explain to Naruto that no matter how much he multiplied something, its nature would never change. He goes on to lament that all shinobi were powerless and that one day, they would all end up like he did. This causes Naruto to lash out at Obito once again stating his dream to become Hokage which leads Obito to tell him that he would make him the Hokage inside the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and as the Ten-Tails prepared to fire a Tailed Beast Ball, asked that Naruto vanish together with this world. As the ball fires, the shinobi are shocked to realise that the beast had missed. Just then, from above, Ino, Hinata, Hiashi and a few others arrive and it is revealed that Ino was able to shift the blast after taking control of Obito for a split second. Immediately, several Aburame use the Insect Jamming Technique, and a group of Kirigakure -nin shroud the battlefield in mist to stop them from being sensed. Shortly after this, the entire Allied Shinobi Forces arrive at the battlefield, causing the Sensing Water Sphere at headquarters to distort. The Ten-Tails swipes one of its tails to clear the mist, and several shinobi use Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique to cancel the blast. Naruto announces that they were no longer a disorderly crowd before announcing a new technique — the " Allied Shinobi Forces Technique " — which is the strongest technique that ever existed in the shinobi world and that it could win against the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Chapter 612
Despite the swell in numbers of their opponents, Madara and Obito note that their efforts were still futile and that even after this war, history would only repeat itself and they would end up in this very same predicament. Naruto chastises them both noting that when there was a difference of opinion in a group, the majority should rule. Accepting his premise, Obito simply notes that they would make their decision after exterminating the Alliance. Using this time Shikaku, through Inoichi 's telepathic ability, is able to relay the strategy he had formulated with the entire Alliance. With this, the Alliance launch their strategy, the first step being to slow down their targets by blinding them, which was executed by the Kumo -nin, with C and a few others using the Lightning Release: Lightning Illusion Flash of Lightning Pillar technique followed by Darui, and other Storm Release wielders using the Storm Release: Laser Circus technique to create a cloud of dust. Secondly the Suna -nin use the Wind Release: Air Current Wild Dance to manipulate said dust to obscure their opponent's vision once again, adding it to what remains of the Insect Jamming Technique and Hiding in Mist Technique from earlier to completely impair the opponents' sensory skills. Following this, Kitsuchi and a group of Iwa -nin sink the beast into a hole allowing his daughter, and other Lava Release users to cover the beast in quicklime which was mixed with water by the Kiri -nin. Finishing off, members of Konoha 's Sarutobi clan hardened the mixture using Fire Release. This leads Madara to state how surprised he was that shinobi from different countries were able to pull off such a perfect combination. Shikaku informs them that they have to defeat Madara and Obito while the Ten-Tails was still restrained recommending the Logistical Support and Medical Division to coordinate with Naruto to exploit Obito's weakness and telling all shinobi who were skilled in taijutsu to deal with Madara. As the Allied Ninja Forces bear down on them, Madara and Obito stare disdainfully as Obito notes that they clung onto hope that did not exist and that the Ten-Tails had finally reached maturity.

Chapter 613
As various shinobi as well as techniques bear down on the two Uchiha, Madara realises that they were being targeted this time. He notes, however, that in order to do that, the Alliance would have had to stop the Ten-Tails first. With this, a powerful blast sends the incoming shinobi flying away and the further-matured Ten-Tails emerges from the pit. While the medical teams move out to tend to the injured, Shikaku, Inoichi, Ao and the others discuss what was happening on the battlefield. Now finding it even harder to control the beast, Obito and Madara use Hashirama 's cells in order to fortify their control over the beast as the former agrees with the legendary Uchiha that it was time they showed the Allied Shinobi Forces true despair. As the beast fires off a Tailed Beast Ball, Kitsuchi is able to deflect its course using Earth Release underfoot the beast. A second Tailed Beast Ball is launched which detonates in a nearby lake and a third which Hiashi notes, destroys an entire town in an instant. Initially believing that the towns where the civilians were, was now unsafe, the fourth Tailed Beast Ball which is launched is noted to be heading straight for HQ as Shikaku surmised. As Inoichi asks for directives, Shikaku tells him that the only thing they could do was what they were assigned to until the very end, and for what appears to be the final time, Inoichi patches Shikaku through to the entire Alliance as the genius Nara passes on his final strategy to defeat the enemy. Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Madara exclaims that they were finally able to get them with the Tailed Beast Ball, noting that it was a simple war tactic to take out the " head " of their opposition.

Chapter 614
Though Chōji tries to console his best friend, Shikamaru reminds him and Ino that they were in the middle of war and that there was no time for unnecessary conversation, and that they had to carry out his father's strategy. Confused, Naruto begins to question the situation, but before they can explain that Inoichi and Shikaku had been killed, the Ten-Tails attacks once more. Leaping into action, Neji and Hiashi are able to deflect the beast's attack, and as everyone begins to praise the Hyūga clan, Hiashi tells Naruto that he had to focus and that in war people might die, but if they lost the war, everyone would die. As he assures them that Inoichi and Shikaku were proud as shinobi to have died before their children, Neji echoes his uncle's sentiments, referring to his own father's sacrifice. With this Neji, Hiashi, and Hinata declare that they would protect him until the very end. Meanwhile atop the Ten-Tails, Madara and Obito discuss how to proceed with their plans and the fact that in order to become the beast's jinchūriki, Madara required a living body which could only be given by Obito sacrificing his own, which left the legendary Uchiha, at the mercy of his descendant. With Obito deciding to teach the Allied Shinobi Forces despair, the beast begins to attack again, sending wooden projectiles flying towards the shinobi. As the attacks are being deflected from Naruto by the Hyūga, Kitsuchi builds his chakra in preparation to use his signature technique. With the beast's hand itself bearing down on the group, Hiashi uses the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Wall Palm to deflect it. The beast then uses a pin-point attack which Hiashi realises they could not deflect in time. As Hinata throws out her arms to protect Naruto, Neji actually intercepts the attack, and while Naruto calls for the medics, Neji notes that it was already too late. As Hiashi looks on in horror and Hinata cries openly, Naruto questions why a genius from the Hyūga clan would throw away his life for him, and Neji, who notes that he finally understood his father's feelings, states that it was for that exact reason that he did it: because Naruto called him a genius. With this, the juinjutsu on Neji's forehead disappears as it seals away his Byakugan. Obito then taunts Naruto, questioning if it had not been him who stated that he would not let his friends die.

Chapter 615
Mocking Naruto 's earlier statement that he would not allow any of his comrades to die, Obito points out the many shinobi who had died from the Uchiha 's last attack. While others around them also realise that Neji was dead, and Hiashi silently apologises to his brother for failing to protect his son, Obito begins a tirade against Naruto's beliefs — leading Madara to note that Obito had become a great deal like himself — sending Naruto spiralling into shock. As Obito beckons to Naruto to join their cause, Hinata snaps Naruto out of his trance-like state and reminds him of what Neji had said before dying as well as what, and why they were here fighting, reaffirming Naruto's ninja way, sentiments echoed by Kurama in the beast's own special way, reminding its host that his parents had also died in a similar manner to Neji. Meanwhile, atop the Ten-Tails, Madara notes that Obito seemed to be awaiting a response from Naruto, not long before Obito decides to act, which Madara chides him for his rashness causing possible harm to the Ten-Tails. Dismissing this, Madara has the beast prepare a Tailed Beast Ball which is deflected by B who launches himself at the beast's mouth in his Eight-Tails form with his own Tailed Beast Ball. Shutting the beast's mouth with his head stuck in there, B launches the Ball which explodes inside the beast causing it to fall and writhe in pain. With her words getting through to him, Naruto rallies around, and, holding Hinata's hand, Naruto enters Tailed Beast Mode, prepared to face his opponents once again.

Chapter 616
Taka and Orochimaru arrive in Konohagakure as they continue their journey to their destination, sensing Naruto Uzumaki 's chakra as they press on at Sasuke Uchiha 's behest. Meanwhile on the battlefield, everyone looks on in shock at the shroud that had surrounded Hinata Hyūga, which a wounded C comments on. Advising Naruto of what had happened, Kurama commended Shikaku Nara 's analysis of its chakra before telling Naruto, who had got the gist of the situation, that using some shadow clones would be fine. Dispersing the clones around the battlefield, Naruto begins tapping the shinobi on the battlefield, thus transferring Kurama's chakra which envelops them in the same manner it did Hinata. Moving to attack once again, the Ten-Tails ' tail is rebuffed by Hinata, which leads Hiashi to marvel at the fact that she had used that simple technique, to such devastating effects. Also noticed by Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha nonetheless sends out several more of the beast's tails to attack the shinobi which are subsequently blocked by Chōji Akimichi and several other enlarged members of the Akimichi clan. Signalling to his team-mates, Ino Yamanaka and Shikamaru Nara prepare their techniques while remembering the final words their fathers had left them with. Just as Obito was about to fire off several wooden projectiles, Ino is able to take control of the Uchiha once again and veer the attack off-course. Following through with an attempt to instead crush the shinobi with its tail, the beast's body is bound by Shikamaru and several other Nara who boldly declare that their clan wasn't to be underestimated. With Rock Lee mourning the loss of his close friend and comrade, Might Guy and Tenten try to comfort him. Decrying Guy's words as nothing more that the prolonging of a curse, Kakashi and Naruto rebuff Obito's sentiments, and Naruto tells the Uchiha that shinobi were meant to endure and that even if remembering your friends was a curse, he did not care as he wanted to keep the real Neji Hyūga in his heart forever.

Chapter 617
Reflecting on Naruto 's words, Lee remembers his time with Neji growing up, and as Naruto transfers some of his chakra to Lee, the young man — now resolved — respectfully closes his fallen comrade's eyes. Amazed by the chakra which also surrounded him, Kakashi reflected on his previous conversation with Shikaku as Kurama thought about Naruto's ability to match his own chakra with that of the different shinobi. Noting his lineage, Kurama silently mused to Kushina and Minato that their son had surpassed them, but notes that this is the power they wanted to pass onto their son. Meanwhile, atop the Ten-Tails, Madara decides to lend a hand to Obito and is able to break out of the Nara clan 's Shadow Imitation Technique. With the beast's tails bearing down on the Alliance, several shinobi attack them, causing the great damage to the beast. As Hiashi declares that Neji's sacrifice would not be in vain, Obito mocks him and has the beast surround them with its tails, thus creating a makeshift cage. Obito then notes the irony that Hiashi's clan had a system in place that essentially left persons in a " cage " just waiting to die. Despite this, the newly-empowered Alliance charges forward as Naruto notes that Neji's will was not dead just yet, cutting through the Ten-Tails with one of his Rasenshuriken. With Lee declaring that he would take care of Madara, Naruto's left arm, which was still dislocated, is fixed by Hinata via her Gentle Fist. Reaching the Uchiha, Lee delivers a powerful kick that bisects Madara and Naruto throws his Rasenshuriken which phases through Obito; both of these attacks successfully cut off the Uchiha's connection to the beast, causing them to retreat. With this, Naruto states that, unlike Obito, he did not want to cut off bonds with his comrades, nor did he want them to cut off the ones from them. Meanwhile in Konohagakure, Orochimaru and Taka seemingly arrive at their destination.

Naruto, Volume 65

Chapter 618
Orochimaru brings Sasuke, Suigetsu and Jūgo to the ruined Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple. Inside, Orochimaru searches for a particular mask, disturbing Suigetsu who found it strange that he knew exactly which one to choose. As they head back towards the village, Sasuke breaks away from the group to survey the village from a high point, which Orochimaru comments as something he needs to do as Konoha is still his birthplace. Arriving at the Uchiha clan 's destroyed compound, Sasuke unseals the passageway leading towards the secret room of the Naka Shrine, lamenting its current condition. There, Orochimaru dons the mask which invokes the Shinigami, and explaining as he went along, slashes the Shinigami's stomach releasing the contents. These turn out to be the spirits of those the Shinigami had consumed, which returns Orochimaru's hands to him, but has the negative effect of reflecting the wound on him as well. On Orochimaru's instructions, Jūgo uses natural energy to activate the spores Obito had Zetsu leave on Sasuke to monitor him: six in total. Sacrificing four of them while Jūgo and Suigetsu held down the other two, Orochimaru uses the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation and then transfers his being into one of the restrained Zetsu while Jūgo absorbed the other. The screaming White Zetsu spore clones are silenced once shrouded in dirt and ash, turned into the vessels of the men who collectively possessed knowledge of Konoha's history: the deceased First, Second, Third and Fourth Hokage.

Chapter 619
As the newly reincarnated Hokage adjust to their circumstance, Suigetsu marvels at being in the presence of Hashirama. When the situation of how their souls were released and then they were reincarnated is explained by Hiruzen and Minato, Hashirama bluntly asks who the latter was. Announcing himself via his title of Fourth Hokage, Hashirama is pleased that the village had seemingly enjoyed such stability but was later shocked and bit apprehensive to hear that his granddaughter had inherited the title of Fifth Hokage. The banter between the Hokage is soon cut short after Orochimaru allayed their outrage that he had reincarnated them to destroy Konoha and instead presented Sasuke to them. From this point, Sasuke first questioned the Third about the Uchiha Clan Downfall and Hiruzen sombrely confirmed all that the young man had been told, noting that this was something Itachi decided to shoulder himself. This led the conversation to segue into a conversation about the Uchiha with Tobirama and his decision, as well as motives behind giving the clan the Konoha Military Police Force as a sign of trust. Here it was revealed that the Uchiha was a clan possessed by evil, but above even the Senju, they valued love and friendship above all else, but as a result of this, its loss had an even greater-than-normal effect on them. Upon hearing all this, the young Uchiha turns towards the once-leader of the Senju clan, posing two questions to him: what the village meant, and what was the purpose of shinobi.

Chapter 620
As Sasuke boldly declares that Hashirama 's response would decide whether or not he should take revenge on Konohagakure, an enraged Tobirama states he would not allow it as he prepares to fight Sasuke. However, in a fierce exchange of silent wills that sends those around them into near-frenzied panic while the Naka Shrine quakes from the energy from their stand off, Tobirama finally stands down at Hashirama's order with Hiruzen breathing a sigh of relief and Minato marvelled. Praising Itachi to be a better shinobi than himself, Hashirama agrees to answer though it will be a long one. When he tells takes the First Hokage to make it abridged, Orochimaru reveals the war occurring outside the village with Madara leading the attack. While Hiruzen pleas Orochimaru to let them go and aid their people, Minato and Tobirama sense the situation to confirm it, with the former glad that his son was able to work with Kurama. Even after Orochimaru refuses to have them leave and considers having them ironically destroy Konoha on Sasuke's choice, Tobirama ignores his summoner's threat as he was about to go to the battlefield. However, thanks to now acquiring Hashirama's genetic material, the binding of the Impure World Reincarnation had become more powerful with only Hashirama breaking free of the additional restraint. Allaying the Sannin 's fears, Hashirama tells Orochimaru that he intends to first free Sasuke from the darkness surrounded him as he casually takes a seat on the ground and begins the retelling of the story of his confrontation with Madara at the Valley of the End and the history of the Senju and Uchiha.

Chapter 621
When the Tailed Beast Ball held by Hashirama Senju 's humanoid creation collides with Madara Uchiha 's Susanoo Sword, it explodes. As the smoke clears, a Susanoo-clad Nine-Tails is revealed ready to attack Hashirama as he emerged from his wooden defence. With Hashirama praising Madara, he quickly grabs the ethereal sword and counters with several additional hands emerging from the ground to suppress the beast only for the tailed beast to destroy with a swing from another blade. Not wanting the landscape of the current area to be completely decimated, Hashirama quickly retreats to the coastline prompting Madara to give chase. As the Uchiha charged another Tailed Beast Ball onto Susanoo's sword and throws it, Hashirama summons a set of barriers to deflect the attack. Hashirama then attempts to reason with his friend and comrade, wanting to stop the battle but Madara refuses, noting that he has gone too far. Knowing that Madara was beyond the point of being persuaded, Hashirama enters Sage Mode and uses the gigantic wooden construct with which he prepares to attack. As the battle progresses, Hashirama remembers the first time when he and Madara met, skipping stones by a river. When asked who he was, Hashirama noted that he was currently Madara's rival in stone skipping, at which he was winning.

Chapter 622
As Madara and Hashirama continue their conversation by the riverside, the banter between them is cut short when a body washes up near them. Moving to check the corpse out, Madara comes to realise that Hashirama is a shinobi as he stood atop the water. Upon further inspection of the body, Hashirama realises that it belonged to a member of the Hagoromo clan and he, and Madara decide to leave the riverbank. Heading back home, Hashirama is informed that Kawarama had been killed on the battlefield, and as they stood by the graves with his youngest brother Itama openly weeping, Hashirama questions his father about the fact that innocent children were being sent on the battlefield to die. Affronted by this, Hashirama's father hits his son telling him that saying such things were an insult to Kawarama's memory who had died a proud shinobi on the battlefield. Unable to agree with this, Hashirama decries these actions further, but before his father can hit him again, Tobirama intervenes offering that Hashirama was grieving and pleaded for their father's forgiveness. Later, the three brothers spoke of bringing peace to the world. Some time later on the battlefield, Itama would lose his life after being confronted by five members of the Uchiha clan. Affected deeply by the loss of his brother, Hashirama went back to the riverbed when he met Madara again, who caught him crying. At first, Hashirama refuses to share the reason for his shedding tears, but he eventually explains that his little brother Itama, had died. When asked if he had any siblings, Madara answers he's one of five brothers, then correcting himself, he noted that he was one of five brothers. After Madara finally manages to skip the rock to the other side, the two talk about the death of their relatives and Madara offers words of comfort about a better future.

Chapter 623
Hashirama and Madara continued to meet in this manner by the riverside where they sparred with one another as well as talked about the future. During this time, the two grew closer as friends and worked on improving their weaknesses, all the while not revealing their last names. On one occasion, Madara almost let slip that he was an Uchiha, nearly bragging about the visual prowess which he wielded, as Hashirama feverishly talked about creating a village where the elders would watch over the children who would be brought up to be strong and not carelessly sent to war to die. Hashirama also spoke about creating a system by which shinobi were assigned missions which played to their strengths and skill sets, after both young men relived the loss of their siblings. Creating a greeting method the two boys skipped their rocks across the river to one another until they met again, however, upon returning to the Senju compound, Tobirama informs his brother that their father wanted to speak with him. Revealing that he had tailed them upon their father's request, Butsuma tells his son that the young boy he had been spending his time with was an Uchiha who had killed several of their strongest clansmen on his own. Coaxing his son, Butsuma told Hashirama that he was to gather intelligence on the young man and report to them, else he be seen as a traitor for his actions. Faced with the only other option to kill Madara, the pair met up by the river and, at Madara's behest, skipped their rocks across to one another as a greeting. Reacting, the two boys immediately bid each other farewell, having told one another that a trap had been laid for them via the stones they had skipped to one another. However, both Butsuma Senju and Tajima Uchiha appear on the field accompanied by their sons Tobirama and Izuna respectively. Both Hashirama and Madara who were in the process of fleeing look on as the two sides greeted one another — no love lost between the pair.

Chapter 624
Knowing full-well that their power was more or less evenly matched, in order to gain the upper-hand as the four of them clashed, Butsuma and Tajima — again thinking along the same lines — decided to target Izuna and Tobirama respectively, hoping to use the shock of a parent losing a child before their very eyes as a method to gain an advantage. However, their attacks were stopped by Hashirama and Madara, who had turned in time to see and prevent what was about to happen. Seeing the attack on his brother as an unforgivable act, Madara declared that they had reached an impasse, noting that their pipe-dreams would die there. Determined to fight, Tajima enquired whether or not Madara was prepared to take them on, but Madara noted that Hashirama was stronger than he was and the outcome would not be in their favour. As they prepared to depart, Madara stated that the next time they would see each other was on the battlefield as Uchiha and Senju, activating his Sharingan for the first time. Thus beginning the non-stop battling between the two, and eventually, the two would inherit the leadership of their respective clans. During one such battle, Tobirama fatally wounded Izuna on the battlefield. Despite the fact that Hashirama once again attempted to create peace between the two clans, Madara refused and left the battlefield with his injured brother. In time, the fact that the Uchiha were inferior to the power of the Senju became abundantly clear and defectors began to come to the Senju side. The next time they met on the battlefield, Madara had acquired the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and remarked that his brother had died from the wound Tobirama had inflicted on him. Despite his new-found power, Madara was still defeated, but Hashirama, still seeking peace, halted his brother from killing the Uchiha and asked Madara if the two of them could not settle it like they used to. To this, Madara declared that they had lost his trust and the only way to regain this was if Hashirama were to kill himself or his brother.

Chapter 625
While Tobirama and the other Senju present start protesting Madara 's ludicrous proposal, Hashirama — having come to a decision — thanks Madara for being so sympathetic as to have given him two choices so that he did not have to kill his brother. Removing his armour, Hashirama imparts his final words to his kinsmen, telling them to swear that Uchiha and Senju would not fight again. However, before Hashirama stabbed himself with the kunai, Madara grabs his hand, noting that seeing his resolve to go through with his request was enough. After this, Madara agreed to the treaty, and in the time to follow that the village was established. Meeting atop the same mountain they had met as children and seeing their dreams realised before them, Hashirama and Madara discussed the future, with Hashirama noting that he wanted to make Madara the Hokage so he could watch over the entire village and etch his face into the very rock they stood on. Madara would later coin the name of the village: Konohagakure — which Hashirama noted lacked imagination. They were later joined by Tobirama who called away his brother for the meeting with the daimyō of the Land of Fire, exchanging not a single word with Madara. Back in the village, Tobirama noted that they were no longer in the same time as their father and that decisions such as who should be the head of the village were not to be done without democratic involvement. Tobirama also noted that Hashirama was more likely to become the village's leader, and as he broached the subject of the possible Uchiha threat, Hashirama cut across him telling him to stop thinking in that manner. Their conversation is cut short when Hashirama believes that they were being eavesdropped on. Not seeing anyone outside the window, and Tobirama not able to confirm nor deny it, Hashirama finds the leaf Madara had mere moments before outside the window. Hashirama was eventually chosen as the Hokage, and during a meeting with Madara in the Naka Shrine 's secret room, Hashirama tried to plead with Madara, noting that in time people would come to understand him and as such, he would inherit the title from him. Madara noted, however, that in all likelihood, Tobirama would inherit that title, leaving no place for him, or even the Uchiha he feared, in the village. His resolve formed, Madara declared that he was leaving the village, and that this world was nothing more than mere entertainment, and that he looked forward to fighting with Hashirama as he went about realising his own dreams.

Chapter 626
Confused about what Madara said, Hashirama questions his friend, asking if what they were building in the village wasn't his true dreams. Madara rebuffs Hashirama, noting that his dream had no connection to the village. Despite the fact that Madara abandoned Konohagakure, other nations praised the innovative system that had been created and soon began to imitate it upon seeing what two previously rival clans could create. As time passed, the village flourished greatly, however, this was punctuated with random attacks on the village by Madara. In what would become their ultimate battle on the edge of the Land of Fire and Land of Sound, after the Susanoo -clad Kurama was shattered by a thousand punches, the titanic battle waned down to the two men facing each other directly — sword and kama respectively. As Hashirama fell, Madara noted that unlike all the other times, he was the one left standing. As Hashirama tried to speak reason to his former comrade and Madara constantly ridiculed the dream they once shared, Hashirama pierces Madara from behind with a sword revealing that it was only a wood clone that fell and not Hashirama himself. Declaring that he would protect his village believing it to be the best way to protect shinobi, and that anyone that tried to destroy that would receive no forgiveness from him. As Madara fell, Hashirama resolved himself to endure in order to protect his dream while Madara, still resolute, declared that he would one day become darkness which enveloped the village. Back in present day, Hashirama tells those present on site that he did not know how Madara survived, because he was sure he had killed him. He then goes on to tell them that it was for the sake of the village. After explaining what his vision for the village was, Hashirama goes on to explain that shinobi were people who endure to achieve their goals, but depending on what they chose as their goals, it could change who they were; like the way Madara, and he himself had changed.

Chapter 627
With Hashirama finishing his story, Sasuke iterated how ironic it was that his brother Itachi, who was from the Uchiha clan, and had never heard Hashirama's story directly from the source, was the one who had inherited his will so strongly. However Tobirama notes that there had been several Uchiha throughout history which had transcended the limitations of their clan and put the village first. One such person who stood out in his mind was Kagami Uchiha. Noting that he did not hate the Uchiha, but in his capacity as Second Hokage, had to find a way to mediate between clans and the village's well-being — the former being something he noted his brother foolishly thought would dissipate with the creation of the village system. In turn, both the Third and Fourth, noted that they had fallen short of their predecessor, and the expectations people had of them respectively. Having heard all he needed from the Hokage, Sasuke comes to the conclusion that the village and people that Itachi sacrificed his life to protect should not be wasted, and decides to enter the battlefield in order to follow his brother's will, with Orochimaru following out of interest. Motioning to Tobirama to prepare to transport them, Tobirama informs his brother that they could not do so because they were bound. As they left the Naka Shrine, Suigetsu who decided that fighting alongside who he deemed the four strongest reincarnated shinobi and three monsters was not a viable option tried to slip away, only to be met by a kick from Karin. She yells that she will never forgive him for what he did and Sasuke immediately apologises. Karin, who visibly cannot contain herself, runs up to Orochimaru and tells him that he stabbed her. He recommends that she should cooperate Sasuke for the time being so she reluctantly rubs against Sasuke, saying she has no other choice. As the Hokage prepare to make their way to the main battlefield, Hashirama — who can barely contain his excitement at this point upon seeing the village again — directs his fellow Hokage to their respective faces on the Hokage Rock before declaring that he wanted to know what his old friend had been up to, Tobirama declares that this time he would stop Madara for good, Hiruzen notes that he had not been to war in so long but vows to give his all this time, and Minato, delighted that he will finally meet his son, promises to make up for not being there with a huge surprise.

Naruto, Volume 66

Chapter 628
As the situation on the battlefield gets dire, with attacks coming at all ends from Obito, Madara, and the Ten-Tails, Chōji notes that Naruto 's chakra cloaks were protecting them from the worst of the attacks. As Sakura 's cloak deflects the giant kunai and magatama respectively, she wondered if keeping up a feat like this would not harm Naruto in the end. Evading an attack from Obito thanks to Kakashi 's warning, Naruto once again decries Obito's ideals, noting that a loner like him could never understand his euphoria to have all his comrades around him. As Obito finds a flaw in Naruto's sentiments, Kakashi looks on wondering why Obito was testing Naruto in that manner. While Kurama wonders how Naruto was doing as he controls its distributed chakra simultaneously, Madara — his face contorted into a maniacal smile — senses Hashirama 's chakra on the battlefield. With the Ten-Tails letting out a shriek on the battlefield, it undergoes yet another, albeit slight transformation. Kurama warns Naruto of the impending danger as the atmosphere begins to change on the battlefield; Obito muses that this was the consequence of the Alliance separating him and Madara from the beast and wonders if he should just become the beast's jinchūriki. The situation prompts Kakashi to attempt to warp the beast away. However, he is intercepted by Obito and as Kakashi calls out to Naruto to handle there, he and Obito warp each other away to Kamui's dimension. Elsewhere, Madara notes the fun was about to begin, and cloaks himself with his Susanoo 's ribcage. The Ten-Tails' power creates earthquakes, thunderstorms, and tornadoes all over the battlefield.

Chapter 629
The Tenpenchii technique used by the Ten-Tails culminates disastrously, still causing powerful twisters and lightning strikes, leading a Susanoo -clad Madara to assume that most of the Allied Shinobi Forces had been wiped out by the attack. However, as the battlefield clears, the shinobi are all revealed to be alive and well, having been protected by their respective shrouds. Before the seemingly confused Ten-Tails, Naruto stands bleeding and exhausted, but still smiling confidently. Looking on, the Ten-Tails sees the images of the tailed beasts (sans Gyūki and Shukaku ) behind Naruto, and ultimately a silhouette with the Rinnegan staring back at him. Shocked, the beast undergoes another transformation, as the shrouds vanish from around the shinobi, and Naruto falls to one knee, very fatigued. Madara — who notes that the fight had started to bore him, and he had already found something else to preoccupy his time — turns in time to see the Alliance rally around Naruto, providing a defence for him while Sakura begins to heal him. Elsewhere, as Kakashi and Obito enter Kamui's dimension, Kakashi is the first to regain his footing and attack, but stops just short of driving his Lightning Cutter through Obito's heart. Trying to speak sense to his former friend, even though Obito decries his actions and tries to play on his conscience, Kakashi notes that he had long since realised that Obito was trying to overlap his old self with Naruto. Obito, however, notes that he was doing it for the exact opposite reason and then declares that he did not wage a war in the world just for Rin. With this, Obito phases through Kakashi's Lightning Cutter, then recreates the scene where Kakashi had killed Rin in the same manner. He then reveals that he knew the truth of how Kirigakure had made Rin into Isobu 's jinchūriki with the sole intention of destroying Konohagakure, and how Rin had impaled herself on Kakashi's Lightning Cutter in order to protect the village. He then states that it was the system of the villages, and the shinobi that he intended to destroy because no good came of it. With this, Obito announces that he is incapable of feeling pain, and shows Kakashi that there was no heart in his chest, just a windhole which was caused by the hell of this world.

Chapter 630
Further elaborating his point, Obito offers Kakashi consolation to join a world where he may fill the hole in his heart, and goes as far as to recreate Rin, and himself as young children to persuade Kakashi. Kakashi, however, shrugs off the idea and tells Obito that delusions could not fix the empty hole in his heart. Meanwhile on the battlefield, the Ten-Tails begins to transform once again as it charges its attack. Gyūki warns B that if it reaches its final stage, it would be hopeless to win and that it is their turn to lead the Allied Shinobi Forces. As he watches the progressing battle, Madara notes that the Ten-Tails has started to become impatient after seeing the tailed beasts inside Naruto and is dismayed that his "fun" was about to end. Noticing the enormous attack, various shinobi start to despair having lost Naruto's chakra shroud. Sakura rallies the shinobi to continue fighting as she heals Naruto, declaring that they had to do everything in their power. Shikamaru, having thought of a plan, contacts Kitsuchi via Ino 's telepathy and inquires from him the hand seals used to perform the simplest earthen defence intending to use the quantity of the shinobi to overwhelm the Ten-Tails' attack. Having learned the seals, Ino informs all of the shinobi of them as they begin to initiate the strategy. Within Kamui's dimension, Obito questions Kakashi how reality may mend the hole in one's heart. Kakashi calmly tells Obito that being trash has taught him a valuable lesson — that the hole can always be filled up by the feelings of his friends — going as far as to consider those who abandon those feelings way worse than those who abandon their friends. Obito is startled at his words as it was the very words he uttered to Kakashi when they were young. With this, Kakashi states that he won't let the feelings of the old Obito go to waste even if he himself refuses them. Meanwhile at the battlefield, the Tailed Beast Ball starts to best the various earth walls created even with B's support to change the trajectory. Just as the walls were about to breach, the attack disappears following the arrival of the Fourth Hokage — who questions his son if he had arrived too late to which Naruto informs him that he was right on time.

Chapter 631
As Sakura questions who the man before them was, Minato introduces himself and advises her to get ready for the explosion. Just then the sea rises up behind them, leading Minato to explain to the confused Allied Shinobi Forces that he had sent the Ten-Tails ' Tailed Beast Ball to the sea. Akamaru 's growls alert everyone in the vicinity that something was not right with their would-be saviour, and the shinobi soon notice that he is a reincarnated shinobi.

However, Minato tells them not to worry as he was on their side, and asks Sakura if she was Naruto 's girlfriend. Naruto suggests they are, causing Sakura to strike him and demand he focus on the matter at hand; the action reminds Minato of Kushina and her own short temper. As Naruto notes that he has felt their chakra in Tailed Beast Mode, and that others were coming as well, the shinobi on the battlefield turn in shock to see the three other previous Hokage arrive. With their arrival, both Tobirama and Hiruzen praise Minato for the speed. Madara who can barely contain himself, shouts to Hashirama that he had been waiting for him, to which Hashirama notes — with matched exuberance — that he would take care of him later after stopping the Ten-Tails. Calling the other Hokage to action, Minato dons a chakra mantle similar to that of Naruto's, much to the others' shock, and leads his son to brag about his father once again to Kurama who retaliated that it knew this better than he did. With the Hokage all positioned, they perform the Four Red Yang Formation technique to trap the beast, with Hashirama adding an additional seal, pinning down the beast's tails and arms. Just then Sasuke and Jūgo arrive on the battle, and as the other Konoha 11 members rally around Naruto and Sasuke, some in disbelief, other on the defensive, Sasuke notes that a great deal had happened, and declares that he would become Hokage. Though the others explain this was basically impossible for him who had abandoned the village and committed such heinous crimes, Sasuke simply noted that he didn't care what they thought of him, and that he would change the village. Naruto, all healed, stands beside Sasuke and claims in response that it was he who would actually become Hokage, all of which leads Hashirama to reprimand the two boys telling them to concentrate on the task at hand. Telling Sakura to rest then, he and Sasuke move to the battlefield, though Sakura follows as well, telling them that she was not a weak woman, and had been trained just as well as any of the two of them by a Sannin. This prompts Naruto to note that Team 7 had been reborn as the three look on, prepared to fight.

Chapter 632
With the arrival of Sasuke, despite everyone not fully acknowledging him, the reformed Rookie Nine prepare themselves for the upcoming battle against the Ten-Tails. Noticing the surrounding barrier, the Ten-Tails begins to charge yet another Tailed Beast Ball only to be contained, surprising many shinobi regarding the prowess of the reincarnated Hokage. Hashirama, taking this opportunity, creates five wood clones — four to help the alliance counter-attack and one to do battle against Madara, who decides to simply wait until the original is available. With the momentary release of the barrier, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and various shinobi charge in to face several replications of the restrained tailed beast.

Upon entering, Sakura contemplates the times wherein she was always protected by her teammates and her resolve to walk side by side with them. As she reminisces the time she was called as Tsunade 's disciple, Sakura stores up three years' worth of chakra gaining a considerable amount of strength which surprises both Naruto and Sasuke. Hashirama is surprised to see such a feat while Shizune notes the difficulty of such chakra control. Sakura, having let her guard down momentarily, is saved by the techniques of Naruto and Sasuke. With both her teammates by her side, Sakura happily notes that she was finally on par with them.

Chapter 633
As Team 7 stand together, Naruto examines Sasuke 's Fire Release and dōjutsu while Sasuke examines Naruto's new form. Wildly impressed by his son, Minato notes that his son was even able to change the shape and the nature of his Rasengan. Kiba exclaims that Team 8 will be going too, declaring they won't lose to Team 7. He then reveals he can create shadow clones like Naruto, who isn't impressed since he only produced one clone. Kiba, stating he still has three times the power, uses the Human Beast Mixture Transformation — Three-Headed Wolf technique with it, and decimates several of the Ten-Tails ' clone minions. Evading an attack and moving into close-range Shino punches one, activating the Parasitic Giant Insect — Bug Bite technique using his special kidaichū. Hinata, encouraged by thoughts of Neji and Naruto, finishes the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms on a mini-clone, noting that Naruto has always been working hard and she's always been by his side; activating her Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists she declares that she'd use the two attacks together this time.

Team Asuma, not to be outshone by the other Rookie Nine, use Ino–Shika–Chō "Formation E": Human Bullet Yo-Yo, wiping out several clones. Sai, who notes that he's also part of Team 7, makes an attempt at the main body via an aerial strike while flying on his ink bird. When one of its clones starts attacking him, Naruto uses his chakra arms to save him. The Allied Shinobi Forces note that the fight is pointless for the clones continue to multiply and grow. Sai asks Naruto if he can give chakra to the alliance, but he explains he cannot since he has not saved up enough of Kurama 's chakra. Sai suggests that it would be best to defeat the largest of the clones, and slip close enough to beat the Ten-Tails itself, but it would be too far to jump at one go. He explains, however, that if they were to suffer severe wounds, the medical group would not be able to make it up front. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke simultaneously use the Summoning Technique, saying that they fortunately have a solution to the problem. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke summon Gamakichi, Katsuyu, Aoda, each the solution to one problem.

Chapter 634
After Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura summon Aoda, Gamakichi, and Katsuyu respectively, Naruto is surprised that Gamabunta didn't appear. Gamakichi states that his father was busy, and Naruto exclaims about Gamakichi's growth spurt. He then instructs Gamakichi to attack the original Ten-Tails. Meanwhile, Sasuke instructs Aoda to go straight ahead, while he would attack the original himself. Sakura tells Katsuyu to split into several parts to heal the Shinobi Alliance. Minato acknowledges the trio, stating that this is the new three-way deadlock summoning leading Hiruzen to remember his students and acknowledge that it was truly the dawning of a new era. Gamakichi leaps high into the air, using his tantō to destroy the attacks of the guards as Sasuke, riding atop Aoda, cuts through the beast's clone minions. Naruto then directs a Wind Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasenshuriken towards the Ten-Tails, while Sasuke brings out his Susanoo to fire Blaze Release: Susanoo Kagutsuchi towards the Rasenshuriken. All of the Rookie Nine cheer them on, including a happy Sakura, who sheds a tear. Naruto remembers what he had said some time ago to Yamato that only wind was able to make fire stronger. The Rasenshuriken merges with the flaming arrow, forming a swirling mass of black flames which struck upon the Ten-Tails. As they watched the Ten-Tails burn, Sai questioned Jūgo about Sasuke's true motives while Sakura looked on solemnly. Elsewhere, Orochimaru, Suigetsu, and Karin arrive at their destination, with the Sannin commenting on Tsunade 's bad condition.

Chapter 635
Arriving to where Tsunade and the other Kage were and upon seeing Katsuyu, a mischievous Suigetsu wonders how much salt it would take to kill it. This causes an argument to strike up between him and Karin who can not make up her mind whether or not she loved Sasuke despite trying to kill her previously. Using fear tactics, Orochimaru gets the two to comply, and the trio turn their attention to the Kage. A wary Katsuyu, however, prepares to attack them, but stood down after Orochimaru declared they were there to help as the healing process was going very slowly because of Tsunade's current state. With this, Suigetsu puts the two halves of Tsunade's body back together, Karin heals her which in turn allows Katsuyu to reconnect Tsunade's bisected halves. With Tsunade healed and able to stand, she questioned her fellow Sannin about his motives.

Orochimaru claimed that he had changed from his previous views of wanting to move the world, and wanted to be around when a certain other person did — leading Tsunade to note that Jiraiya would have been alive if Orochimaru had made this discovery earlier. Turning their discussion to the war, Katsuyu interjects that it would brief them on what was happening, much to Tsunade's shock that the slug was also back on the battlefield. As Orochimaru and the others took their leave, back on the battlefield, Sai questions Sakura about her views on Sasuke's return, her answer to which leads Sai to believe that although the words were sincere, her smile was a fake. As the Ten-Tails burned, Naruto instructs Sasuke to put the flames out once the beast was weakened so that he and Kurama could extract the tailed beasts but Sasuke refuses, noting that he would burn them all down to create a new system. Not intending to go peacefully, however, the Ten-Tails removes the part of its body which was burning much to the Uchiha's shock. Briefed on the situation — the Kage now all healed — made preparations to head to the battlefield. Meanwhile, in Kamui's dimension, Kakashi and Obito battle wages on, with Kakashi piercing Obito with his Lightning Cutter and Obito stabbing Kakashi with a large shuriken.

Chapter 636
Asking Obito if he'd had enough of their genjutsu battle, Kakashi and Obito form the seal of confrontation as they begin their real battle. They start to think back to their childhood days as young ninja, when they fought under the instructions of their sensei. Kakashi remembers the "old Obito", who was just like Naruto, and resolves that to protect Naruto and the old Obito, he will have to defeat the current one. As both men deliver final blows, Kakashi impales Obito through his chest with a lightning - infused kunai, while Obito stabs Kakashi with one of his black rods. Obito, unwilling to give up, states that defeating him will not gain any advantage to winning the war despite having won their battle and warps back to the battlefield. Meanwhile, Madara impales Hashirama 's wood clone, and notes that Hashirama was putting too much energy into restraining the Ten-Tails. Though the clone attempts to dispute Madara's words, it is split in half before it can complete its statement. As Obito arrives atop the Ten-Tails' head, Madara decides that Obito had served his purpose to him, and though he wanted to fight Hashirama before he became a jinchūriki, the situation could not be helped. Forming a seal which affects Obito whose right side begins to spike out black rods and turn black, Madara declares that it was time to revive him with the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. As this occurs, Obito remembers Rin once again before forming a seal of his own and letting out a cry which draws the attention of many on the battlefield.

Chapter 637
With Obito 's cry resounding throughout the battlefield, Madara muses that he had once told Obito that eventually, he would have to repay the legendary Uchiha for saving his life. Noting Madara's intentions, Hashirama tells both Naruto and Sasuke to deal with Obito since they were the closest to him. As a contingency plan, Hashirama and Tobirama create wood and shadow clones respectively to take on Madara in case it was too late to stop Obito. Meanwhile, Obito — whose hair was beginning to become thinner, and greyer due to the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique — begins to reminisce his life as part of Team Minato. Sasuke, riding atop Aoda, begins to slither on the Ten-Tails to get close to Obito, and launches a black arrow only to be retaliated by the chakra receivers jutting out of the latter. Minato — having formed a shadow clone himself — teleports to Obito, who was reminiscing about the advice of his former sensei, and cuts him down. With shock, Minato realises that Obito had been the one who orchestrated the destruction of Konohagakure. As Sasuke notes that only Madara was left to be sealed to end the war, Obito simply smirked at their plan as it is revealed he had prevented Madara's control much to the surprise of Naruto, Sasuke and Minato, who had regrouped after witnessing the escape of the Ten-Tails and Obito's transformation as he became the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki.

Naruto, Volume 67

Chapter 638
The shinobi watch on in confusion as the Ten-Tails vanishes from the battlefield. As the shinobi sought answers, Hiashi watched on with his Byakugan, and Sakura asked Hinata, what she had seen. It is revealed that Obito, had in fact initiated a sealing technique, which allowed him to absorb the Ten-Tails into himself, making him the beast's new jinchūriki. Emerging in his new form, Naruto goes on to confirm that Obito was able to resist Madara 's control and had instead been using a different technique than the one to revive him. Meanwhile, Killer B confirms with Gyūki that the Ten-Tails had not reached its final form but had instead been sealed within Obito. Hashirama then attempts to restrain Obito, but Obito's new power proves too much for the technique which had been restraining the beast itself prior. In response, Obito generates four chakra arms, and then proceeds to rip apart the barrier erected by the four Hokage. Upon seeing this, Hashirama warns the other shinobi of Obito's power while Minato pleads for Obito to stop which is responded to by Obito sounding out his own name with some confusion. As the three other Hokage relocate to where Obito is, Hashirama openly declares that Obito is stronger than he, which both Hiruzen and Tobirama affirm. As Madara prepares his own "trump card" hoping that Obito did not notice him before then. While the Hokage discussed the situation, Obito takes the First and Second by surprise, ripping through their bodies.

Chapter 639
As the others in the immediate area look on in shock, Tobirama calls out to Hiruzen and Minato to jump. Recognising the protocol, they soon turn to see that Obito has been plastered with explosive tags. Calling out to Hashirama who binds Obito with his Wood Release, Tobirama sets off the explosions leading Minato to comment on Tobirama's swift action. Noting that as the creator of the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation technique, he also created the would-be suicidal fighting style that surrounded the use of the technique, Tobirama launches his Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags technique causing a continuous explosion around Obito. When the smoke cleared, however, it is revealed that Obito is unharmed due to the resilient substance surrounding him. Theorising what exactly the substance was, Hiruzen attacks Obito with the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique summoning a giant shuriken to do so. However, the substance proves once again too versatile for these attacks and eradicates these weapons.

This leads Hiruzen to link it to Ōnoki 's Dust Release and surmises that the substance was made from at least four nature transformations. As Naruto worries about protecting the Hokage, Sasuke notes that they were using their immortal bodies to gain a sense of Obito's abilities so they could find a way to defeat him which led Sasuke to tell Naruto to stop worrying about them. Minato, while noting Sasuke's intelligence, notes that their bodies took a while to reconstruct so he would have to create an opening for them. Elsewhere, the real Hashirama decides to head to the fore as well, but is stopped by Madara who stated he was done waiting around for his Senju rival. Taking his chance when it appeared that Obito had still not gotten used to being the beast's jinchūriki, Minato teleports his clone to his side and prepares to use the Spiralling Flash Super Round Dance Howl Style Three technique with the clone. However, Obito makes a play to attack Naruto but is blocked by Sasuke's Susanoo. Even with his torso halfway across the battlefield, Obito is able to take Minato by surprise and send him reeling. As Sasuke attempts to attack Obito, however, he takes both him and Naruto by surprise, breaking through Susanoo's defence and attacking the two. As Minato prepares to teleport again, he anxiously hopes he makes it in time.

Chapter 640
With Minato unable to teleport to Naruto and Sasuke 's aid because the mark that was previously on Obito had seemingly vanished, things looked dire for the two. Naruto, however, remembering his father's explanation of how his technique works, uses chakra arms to grab onto both Sasuke, and his father allowing Minato to teleport them to safety. Thoroughly impressed by his son's action, Minato and his group turn their attention back to Obito in time to see the new jinchūriki losing control of the beast once again as his body begins to become distorted. As Obito launches a compressed version of the mysterious substance, Minato prepares to deflect the projectile, but to everyone's shock, the attack stops short of them, expands and then contracts before returning to Obito. Thinking that the attack was meant for Minato's shadow clone, they soon realise that Obito was struggling to maintain control and the previous attack was an attempt to destroy the out-of-control portion of his body. Intent on launching his counter-attack, Minato instructs Sasuke and Naruto to follow up with a collaborative attack right after. During this time, Obito — who is only able to utter Rin 's name at this point — struggles to maintain his consciousness and with it, the control of the beast. As Minato, remembering the young man he had trained years before, rushes to aid him, in Obito's subconscious, Obito focuses on an image of his old team as the Ten-Tails attempts to rip his consciousness apart, Obito is ultimately able to seize control of the beast, emerging in a form even more reminiscent of the Sage of the Six Paths ' silhouette inclusive of a shakujō. In full control, Obito attacks Minato, tearing his arm off, forcing the Fourth Hokage to teleport a safe distance away. However, their safety is proven to be nothing but a ruse as Sasuke and Naruto noticed that Obito had attached some of the mysterious substance to Minato's reconstructing body. In shock, all those around them look on as the ball began to glow, preparing to expand as it had done before.

Chapter 641
With time running out on them as the threat grew even greater, Minato decides that he would have to teleport away from them with the ominous ball. Before any of them can react, however, a regenerated Tobirama arrives to their aid and grabs the orb, teleports to Obito — whom he had managed to mark during their previous confrontation. As the orb expands some distance away from the shinobi, the real Tobirama arrives noting that it was a shadow clone that was just destroyed. Elsewhere on the battlefield, the Allied Shinobi Forces watch on as the two titans Madara and Hashirama clash, awestruck at the level at which their predecessors fought. Shikamaru uses the opportunity to tell everyone — via Ino — that they were not to lose focus for a second because no matter how little power they had in comparison, even the smallest opening could be exploited.

Meanwhile, Obito emerges from the rubble unscathed having used the mysterious substance to protect himself, leading Minato and Tobirama to readjust their strategy. As they do this, however, Sasuke rushes forth despite the Fourth's protests that he would create the opening and uses Amaterasu, which Obito deflects. Not one to be outdone, Naruto follows suit, correcting Sasuke and noting that they would be the ones to create the opening for the Second and Fourth to attack. While surprised, Tobirama nonetheless calls Minato to action, and both men mark each other with their respective Flying Thunder God seals intent on using the Flying Thunder God Mutually Instantaneous Revolving Technique. With the preparations made, Sasuke and Naruto rush forth with another Kagutsuchi-infused Rasenshuriken while simultaneously, Tobirama appears behind Obito. Preparing to launch their attack, Minato teleports before them and is struck with the technique. Employing their own tactic, Minato and Obito switch places causing Obito to be hit by Naruto and Sasuke's attack. Tobirama reinforces the fall of Obito while Minato is left with the dark orbs that surrounded Obito before the switch took place. Tobirama urges Minato to finish the attack instead of making up silly names for each jutsu. Some ways away, Sakura sees the black flames and asks Hinata how her team-mates were doing as the latter notes that both young men were smiling.

Chapter 642
With the entire area set ablaze from the attack on Obito, Sasuke and Naruto watch, wondering if their attack was successful. Meanwhile, Tobirama teleports to Minato 's side, noting that they had landed their attack before Obito could shield himself with the mysterious orbs. However, Obito emerges from the flames, unscathed as the orbs erase the black flames. As the two Hokage analyse the situation, Tobirama notes that Minato's arm should have regenerated by now, and comes to the conclusion that whatever Obito was doing involved the use of Yin–Yang rendering the regenerative abilities of the technique useless. As Naruto calls out to Sasuke noting they would have to lead the assault and attempts to go into Tailed Beast Mode. As a result, the mantle disappears altogether leading Tobirama to chide Naruto and Minato for not thinking.

As Minato sheepishly apologises to the Second, they are all shocked when Gamakichi attacks Obito with the Starch Syrup Gun technique noting that the Summoning Technique was soon going to run out and he wanted to try something before he disappeared. As Obito deflects the attack under the shinobi 's watchful eyes, Minato questions of his intentions lead Obito to decry the position of Hokage, leading Minato to blame the chain of events during the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack on his inability to recognise his own student. Naruto, however, tells the jinchūriki not to look down on the position because he was unable to acquire it, and — picking up on what was happening as Naruto formed a Rasengan — Tobirama teleports Naruto above Obito where he sends his attack crashing into Obito's back. Though Sasuke and Minato are shocked, Tobirama explains that it appeared that senjutsu was effective against Obito's form. As Minato notes that his son had become a sage like his own sensei, the silhouetted Yin half of Kurama notes that Naruto had grown up to be someone who loved his parents and had even persuaded his Yang -half to cooperate with him.

Chapter 643
Yin - Kurama questions Minato about whether or not he had always intended to have his son take care of the situation for him, questioning whether that was the reason behind sealing its Yang half into him. The fox then tells Minato it was not his fault that his wife died, and Naruto becoming a jinchūriki was not inherently bad. Back on the battlefield, Naruto and Tobirama regroup with the others, and while Naruto explains the fact that senjutsu had been effective against their opponent, Tobirama muses to himself that Naruto's ability to work with his Flying Thunder God Technique and use of senjutsu reminded him greatly of fighting alongside his brother. Recovering from his injuries, Obito lamented that even as the beast's jinchūriki, he could not afford to act carelessly, before casually continuing on with the Eye of the Moon Plan. Creating an enormous tree with four opened flowers, Obito creates four Tailed Beast Balls intent on destroying the remainder of the Allied Shinobi Forces in one fell swoop.

As the shinobi scramble to deal with the situation, Tobirama noted that even if he and Minato used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport the attack away, they could each only carry two, only halving the threat. Calling out to his brother, Hashirama once again beseeches Madara to put their battle off so that he can deal with the situation, but the Uchiha notes that they were reincarnated and as such it would not matter if they were caught in it. He then challenges his Senju rival to defeat him if he wanted to help. One of Hashirama's remaining wood clones calls out to the Alliance to not lose their nerves and explains his strategy to them. However, Obito with the use of the chakra receivers erects a barrier, intent on trapping the shinobi with the attack. As they readjust their strategy to their new predicament, Naruto notes that he had a plan but wasn't sure it would work. He then proceeds to ask Minato to bump fists with him, connecting the two halves of Kurama. The Yang half of Kurama asks its Yin half to help it by providing it with some chakra, to which the Yin half noted that it begging itself for help was weird. As Obito — wrapped in a defensive cloak — continues to decry Minato exclaiming that it would soon be the anniversary of Minato and Kushina 's death. Noting that it only meant that tomorrow was also his birthday, Naruto tells Obito that the world would not end because he still existed within it. Donning his Tailed Beast Mode mantle, he calls out to his father who marvelled to Kushina that their son had grown up, responds emphatically.

Chapter 644
Through a fist bump, father and son begin to meld the chakra of Yin and Yang Kurama together, and while the Shinobi Alliance members look on in desperation, Minato and Naruto employ their strategy. To everyone's shock, their Version 1 mantles soon reappear and while Sakura notes that she thought the shroud had disappeared, Katsuyu informs her that she had noticed it while healing the shinobi and realised that the shroud had only diminished, and Hinata noticing this time it wasn't only Naruto's chakra. As Jūgo, who had made his way back to Sasuke 's side, notes that the situation was getting hopeless and that Sasuke needed to have him reverse summon them, Naruto calls for the two to come before him so he could distribute his chakra to them as well. While garnering praise from Hashirama for the sheer volume comparable to his own, Obito deems this a futile effort and while sealing himself away in the substance, as the tree fires the Tailed Beast Balls.

As the dust settles, everyone is revealed to have survived the attack, much to Obito and the Alliance's shock. While Tobirama praises Minato, coming to their aid for the second time during the battle, it is explained that by melding Yin and Yang Kurama's chakra, Minato was in turn connected to the other shinobi on the battlefield. This allowed him to teleport them outside of the barrier. Explaining the concept based off how shadow clones operated, a stumped Naruto is surprised that Tobirama knew so much about the Shadow Clone Technique, causing Tobirama to irritably exclaim that it was another technique he had invented. Naruto's later echoing of his father's sentiments, causes Yin-Kurama to note that the young jinchūriki must have had a curious upbringing to be treating a tailed beast as a comrade. Minato takes the opportunity to tell Naruto that he wished to speak to him, but Naruto dismisses him, noting that men could say all they wanted to each other with a mere glance. Allaying his father's misgivings, Naruto happily notes that both his and his mother 's feelings had already been conveyed to him.

Chapter 645
After the conversation between father and son, Naruto dons his Tailed Beast Mode shroud as he plans to attack Obito with renewed vigour. Before so, Tobirama reminds the latter that only senjutsu -based attacks could damage the Ten-Tails ' jinchūriki, causing Naruto to panic since he had forgotten already. Inside Naruto's mind, Yang - Kurama tells Naruto that since both of them are on friendly terms, Naruto can use Sage Mode whilst using its power similar to the time the young shinobi conversed with Nagato. On the other hand, Yin - Kurama also tells Minato that he can also under-go a full Tailed Beast Mode transformation to provide powerful support for his son. Following the advice of the beast, Naruto goes full Tailed Beast Mode in sync with his Sage Mode while Minato unleashes his Tailed Beast Mode as well.

Minato, with Naruto's help, prepares a large-scale, senjutsu-infused Rasengan, and with Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Technique, quickly slams it unto Obito, who uses chakra arms and a fluid barrier to repel the attack. Noting the barrier's durability, Naruto and Minato pool their strengths together to form a senjutsu-infused Tailed Beast Ball to destroy the opponent's defences. Meanwhile, Sasuke, along with the surviving shinobi, watch the battle as the Uchiha ponders just how far Naruto had come. Obito then undergoes his own tailed beast transformation, planning to continue the Eye of the Moon Plan, shocking Madara, who was still battling Hashirama.

Chapter 646
Having manifested the Ten-Tails, whose stomach begins to open up, Obito mulls over his next step before removing the barrier, as the beast transforms into an enormous tree. The tree stretches its roots and grabs hold of the shinobi on the battlefield, absorbing their chakra cloaks and their own chakra, leaving them emaciated, and causing wide-spread panic at the predicament. As Gyūki confirmed that this was the last and true form of the beast: the " God Tree ", Madara and Hashirama continue their battle where the Uchiha reveals the history of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the God Tree and the forbidden fruit that it bore once in a millennium, and how chakra became a weapon for man to use as a result of Kaguya consuming the fruit and giving birth to a son, who would become known as the Sage of Six Paths as written on the Naka Shrine tablet. He also noted that once the flower bloomed, the eye within it would be reflected onto the moon, casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and that the one who would complete the plan was he himself. Meanwhile, as Naruto tries to escape the clutches of the tree to very little avail, Tobirama slices through the branches, but they start to regenerate too quickly for himself, or a chakra depleted Minato to rescue him.

With Naruto's situation getting dire as both his Tailed Beast Mode mantle and Sage Mode markings disappear, Hiruzen arrives in the nick of time and, after apologising for his late arrival, destroys the branches with his adamantine staff and retreats with Naruto, allowing Tobirama to teleport them all to where Sasuke and Jūgo were surveying the occurrence. Slightly recovering, Naruto looks around in anguish at his fallen comrades, while Obito tells them all to simply give in, and that their suffering would end soon as the flower atop the tree begins to slowly open.

Chapter 647
En route to the main battlefield, the five Kage see the tree form of the Ten-Tails and wonder just what it was, which leads Tsunade to ask Katsuyu to explain exactly what was happening where its other divisions were. When Shikamaru is found to be one of the victims of the tree's attack, Sakura tries to have Katsuyu heal him remotely, but Katsuyu informs her that its clones also died due to having their chakra absorbed, leading the medical-nin and Sai to rush to her comrade's side instead. The Allied Shinobi Forces members spiral into despair, and taking advantage of the all-time-low morale, Obito declares that he would not kill those who stopped resisting, but Hashirama 's wood clone reminds them not to give up because the fate Obito wanted for them was no less worse than death. Hiruzen 's sentiments cause Orochimaru — who had just arrived with Suigetsu and Karin in tow — to note that pessimism was very out of character for his sensei. As Madara and Hashirama continued to fight, the Uchiha reveals that even without the full chakra of the Eight and Nine-Tails, the tree form of the Ten-Tails would bloom in approximately fifteen minutes, during which Madara planned to take Obito's place using Hashirama's senjutsu abilities.

As the info is relayed to him, Hashirama's wood clone called out for a Yamanaka, and while startled, Ino responds and on the command of the First, patches him through to the Alliance. Connected, the clone passes on the recent revelation, and also tries to boost the shinobi's morale, telling them decisively to not give up. As the tree moves again to attack, a large chunk of its root is cut off by a Susanoo -clad Sasuke, who asks Naruto if he had already reached the limit of his capacity. Responding to his friend's question, Naruto once again enters both Tailed Beast Mode and Sage Mode and through Ino's technique, his feelings and memories are conveyed to everyone. Remembering his time as a child and the people he had lost along the way, Naruto notes that he did not want to have any more regrets and that the sacrifices made would not be in vain.

Naruto, Volume 68

Chapter 648
With renewed determination and a chakra boost from Yin - Kurama, Naruto heads back into battle alongside Sasuke — who, not to be outdone, has Jūgo use the Sage Transformation on his Susanoo to imbue it with natural energy, creating the Cursed Seal of Heaven markings on Sasuke's Susanoo. Ready for action, the two young men plunge back into battle against Obito, who took note of how time and time again Naruto would pick himself up from the rut of despair. With this, Orochimaru reflects on how Sasuke seemingly had the potential to surpass even Madara Uchiha himself, while Tobirama notes that Naruto was in a lot of ways like his brother Hashirama: faults and all. With the shinobi still somewhat doubting themselves and contemplating waiting for directives from the current Kage, Hashirama shares with them all his memories of the first summit of the five Kage.

How the meeting unfolded is revealed to all; what rings home for them all, is Hashirama's wish for all shinobi to be united. With this, Hashirama rallies the troops to amass their worries, their resolve, their sorrows and strength in order to fight. Ultimately, Hashirama's wish for the future is answered by the appearance of the five current Kage to the battlefield, all standing as a united front.

Chapter 649
Dispersing across the battlefield as soon as they arrive, the five current Kage intend to continue boosting the Allied Shinobi Forces ' morale as this was no battle they could afford to lose. As Sasuke and Naruto continue to clash with Obito, who somehow manages to keep them at bay, Shikamaru 's treatment progresses slowly, though Sakura is determined to not let him die. Even as they fought, Naruto's Version 1 chakra begins to form around Shikamaru — something Ino later notes was being done by Naruto subconsciously as an extension of his will to protect his friends. Regaining some strength, Shikamaru's memories and feelings are transmitted via Ino's Mind Body Transmission Technique, revealing his own will to be an advisor to Naruto when he takes on the mantle of Hokage as he sits up.

As relief spreads throughout the Konoha 11 — none more so than Chōji — Tsunade arrives at their location and expedites Shikamaru's recovery, commending her student for having done so well. Meanwhile, within Kamui's Dimension, a battered but recovering Kakashi tends to his wounds, noting that he was almost set to return to the battlefield. After speaking briefly with her grandfather, Tsunade, A, Gaara, Mei, and Ōnoki all rally the troops across the battlefield before Hashirama gives the final battle cry to the resolute army.

Chapter 650
As the five Kage, their various shinobi factions, along with Mifune and his samurai move out to destroy the Ten-Tails while in its tree form, Tobirama asks Minato to let him use the connection between him and Naruto's chakra to help the shinobi with the Flying Thunder God Technique by teleporting them out of harm's way. Meanwhile, Hiruzen asks Orochimaru if he is only going to watch the battle, to which Orochimaru replies that though he is not interested in the fight, he will still lend a hand because Obito's " dream " would mean the abandoning of his experiments. Orochimaru then attacks a part of the tree and declares that for a while, they will reminiscence of the time when they were student and teacher, as Hiruzen destroys the limbs with Enma 's adamantine form.

Elsewhere, Tsunade tells Sakura that they can summon nearly one tenth of Katsuyu 's whole body from the Shikkotsu Forest to heal the forces if they use their seals together. Tsunade informs everyone of Katsuyu's arrival and their intentions via Ino and the shinobi stand on a dissolved Katsuyu in order to recover. All the while, Naruto and Sasuke are still fighting Obito, who easily evades all of their attacks with his new-found speed. This created a problem for the duo, though later, Naruto was able to sense Obito, while Sasuke tries to follow him with his Mangekyō Sharingan. Obito declares that it's almost time to sleep and fall into dreams, as the flower almost blooms. Kakashi, in Kamui's Dimension, thinks that Obito still has the Will of Fire, though it is overshadowed by his hatred, and now he is able to realise this Will after fighting Naruto. Back in the real world, Obito attacks Naruto and Sasuke, forcing them out of their Sage Tailed Beast Mode and cursed seal -enhanced complete Susanoo respectively. As Naruto begins to stand up, Obito chides Naruto while demanding to know why he still stood to fight. But Naruto tells him that he will not change, as never going back on his word is his nindō. Both Naruto and Sasuke go in their Tailed Beast Mode and Susanoo once again. Sasuke calls out to finish the battle for once and all, while Naruto says that he will sleep tomorrow and dream on his own as their two forms combine.

Chapter 651
As Sasuke 's Susanoo equips itself onto Naruto 's senjutsu -enhanced Tailed Beast Mode mantle, combining the two young men's abilities, much to their surprise, Kakashi — who is still in Kamui's dimension — is able to both see and hear what is going on via the link shared between his and Obito 's Sharingan. Readying himself for one last all-out counter-attack, Obito manifests a gigantic shield and the Sage of the Six Paths ' legendary holy weapon, the latter of which he commented was used to shape the first world, would now destroy the one he considered to be fake.

Creating nine Rasengan in Kurama 's tails, Naruto contacts his comrades from the Konoha 11 and Sai to join the fray. As they jump directly into Kurama's tails, they themselves don Tailed Beast Mode mantles much to their shock. Naruto charges them to break down Obito's defences using the Rasengan, so that he and Sasuke could have a direct shot at attacking him. As their attack is launched, a confused Obito begins to see more of himself in Naruto and even begins to hallucinate about what his life could have been like — even without Rin — if he had returned to the village instead. Ultimately, the shinobi are able to break through his defence, and the two young men are also able to deal a devastating blow to Obito with Susanoo's sword.

Chapter 652
As a Susanoo -clad Kurama cuts through Obito, Naruto and Kurama's objectives are achieved as the chakra of the tailed beasts are pulled out in response to Naruto's use of the chakra the beast had given him. Manifesting their chakra via Kurama's tails, Naruto begins the great tug-of-war against Obito who struggles desperately to retain the chakra of the beasts. When Shukaku and Gyūki 's chakra reject Kurama's tails as the young man didn't possess a portion of it himself, Gaara — Shukaku's former jinchūriki — and Killer B — Gyūki's current host — aid Naruto in his struggle in order to leave Obito with nothing but the shell of the Ten-Tails hence halting the tree's flower from blooming.

Recognising what he intends to do, the Allied Shinobi Forces springs into action under Shikamaru 's directive all the while as the link between the chakra open Naruto up to even more of Obito's conscience which Kurama warns against. Joining in the effort, Sasuke and Naruto's other comrades all grab hold of the chakra as well and begin to pull while Minato dons his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode mantle once again and sprouting tendril-like tails instructs the Alliance to grab hold of his chakra to join the effort. Within his subconscious, Obito sees himself alone against the entire Alliance, and as he begins to contemplate more and more of his decisions and visualise what his life could have been like, he grapples to come to terms with what he views to be regret. Speaking to him directly from their connection, an empathic Naruto tells Obito that despite his declaration of being no one, he was in fact someone with dreams not unlike his own, bonds with other people in the world: both friends and family, and declared that he was "Obito Uchiha " and that he would destroy his real mask which was the face he portrayed of being no one.

Chapter 653
As Naruto reaffirms Obito 's existence, the Uchiha notes that it did not matter anymore as he had transcended into the " Second Six Paths ". Unsupportive of this, Naruto says that both of them were similar in a lot of ways including their upbringing, goals and beliefs. Naruto then tells Obito that nobody would acknowledge him for his dream that robbed them of their freedom. Obito responds that both of them were actually indeed very similar and that was the reason he wanted Naruto to think that the world was hopeless. Obito explains that he saw his old self in Naruto, and wanted him to abandon his ideals before they brought him nothing but misery.

Chiding Obito for running away from life, the young Uchiha, however, sticks to the fact that he is actually doing what a Hokage should do by bringing peace to the world; noting that he had simply found a shortcut to achieving this. Adamant in his beliefs, Naruto tells Obito that there was no shortcut to the dream of being Hokage who was a person who was supposed to go before everyone and make the way easier for them to follow. Obito reflects more on his past and Rin, and Naruto says that Obito still has bonds with his friends, as seen when the Ten-Tails tried to take control over his body and how he had maintained control of his consciousness by remembering his old team. Naruto asks Obito to accept himself as a shinobi of Konoha, atone for his crimes, and come to the side of the Shinobi Alliance and then reaches out his hand to Obito.

Chapter 654
Naruto reaches out his hand to Obito. However, instead of accepting his hand, Obito tries to strangle Naruto, saying he has no regrets for anything he has done so far. Naruto punches Obito aside claiming he's not worthy to be a Hokage. Obito begins to see more of his old self in Naruto. Naruto then tells him that Rin wanted to look forward to "Obito Uchiha", not what Obito has become now. Obito remembers his past with Team Minato as he struggles with his inner turmoils, meanwhile Naruto forcefully grabs Obito's hand warning the Uchiha to not underestimate the power of everyone.

In the real world, the shinobi 's attempts to pull out the tailed beasts were successful. Naruto and Sasuke, losing their armour-clad chakra shroud after winning the struggle, had finally defeated and stopped Obito. Obito looks up to moon and grieves that he could not fill the hole in his heart.

Chapter 655
As the tailed beasts all start to take corporeal forms, they gladly thank Naruto for saving them. Rushing forward suddenly, Sasuke heads towards Obito 's location with his sword drawn; his intentions clear. With other sensors such as C detecting that Obito was still alive, the Alliance mobilise to deal the finishing blow. However, both Sasuke and the Alliance are stopped by Kakashi 's reemergence on the battlefield and Tsunade 's orders respectively.

Kakashi informs his former student that this burden was his to bear as he was Obito's friend, but before Kakashi can deal the blow to a resigned Obito, he is stopped by Minato. The three men talk about the past, their regrets over Rin 's death and how everything had turned out. Kakashi then tells a doubtful Obito that Naruto would not turn out the way he they did because if he faltered, he had friends and support that would help him back up. All throughout this, Naruto had moved to locate Madara and Hashirama in order to aid in sealing the Uchiha. Standing atop the tree form of the Ten-Tails, Naruto and his shadow clones form the Big Ball Rasenshuriken which they continue to increase in size until it becomes like a giant beacon above the battlefield, that illuminates his comrades ' footsteps.

Chapter 656
As Obito lay defeated, he watches on as Naruto uses his Big Ball Rasenshuriken to attack Madara, who has been immobilised by Hashirama. Gaara asks Shukaku for help in sealing Madara to which the raccoon eventually obliges as a way of proving himself superior to Kurama. The other tailed beasts also lend Gaara their help, intent on repaying Naruto for freeing them. Meanwhile, giving the regenerating Madara no time to retaliate, Hashirama incapacitated him further by trapping him beneath his torii seals.

Despite his circumstance, Madara grins in anticipation. Kurama tells Minato that even though Obito lost the tailed beasts, he'll survive as he's still connected to the life force of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Obito muses on how Nagato used the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to help the enemy, then ultimately decides to do the same. Obito tells Minato and Kakashi that he finally understands why Nagato would side with Naruto in the end; the teachings of Jiraiya were what gave them hope for a better future. Knowing that his connection to Minato, who was a student of Jiraiya made him similar to Nagato and Naruto, Obito decides to repent by sacrificing his own life the same way Nagato did. At that moment, Black Zetsu suddenly appears and grabs hold of Obito. As Zetsu apologises to him, he declares that this was his singular purpose all along as he begins to merge with Obito's body. Madara thanks Naruto for weakening Obito as it allows Black Zetsu to manipulate Obito into using the Outer Path technique to successfully bring Madara back to life. Now alive the ecstatic Madara declares that he would once again be able to enjoy the thrills of war with a human body.

Chapter 657
Giving their opponent no time to relent, Sasuke engulfs Madara in the flames of Amaterasu. Madara removes his armour, as Naruto insists that is was pointless to simply attack Madara, while Hashirama is puzzled as to why their opponent had closed his eyes. Emerging unscathed from the flames, Madara turns his attention to Hashirama, whom he reminds of the last conversation they had at the Naka Shrine, revealing that he believed that only the power of the Uchiha and Senju could bring true bliss. Launching his counterattack, Madara knocks both Naruto and Sai aside and uses the black receivers he had embedded in Hashirama earlier to immobilise his target. Using this opportunity, Madara absorbs Hashirama's senjutsu chakra, which reflects on the face of Hashirama jutting out of his chest.

Lamenting of the level of power which he was easily able to control, Madara is once again forced on the defensive, as he is attacked by Sasuke once more. Lauding the younger Uchiha for his Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara decides that Sasuke's dōjutsu would make a perfect substitute until his Rinnegan came back. Elsewhere, Black Zetsu notes that Obito would die soon after reviving Madara, and declares that he would now retrieve Madara's eye. Set upon by both Kakashi and Minato, Zetsu merges with Obito, and explains that he was the only thing keeping Obito alive at this point in time. Explaining how he had escaped from the Hokage Guard Platoon and bided his time, Zetsu exclaims that he was Madara's will and would go as far as to use Obito's body to defeat them. Staving off another attack from his opponents, Madara soon sets his unseeing gaze upon the tailed beasts, determined to hunt them down.

Naruto, Volume 69

Chapter 658
With the tailed beasts intent on fighting Madara head on, the Allied Shinobi Forces ' members decide to fall back in order to not become collateral damage. Leading the charge, Gaara and Shukaku attack Madara with their Wind Release: Sand Buckshot technique. Noting that the technique was a good one — albeit without any wallop — Madara is surprised when Gaara immobilises him with the residual sand that was left inside of his body after the attack. Using the opportunity to attack, the tailed beasts each take a swing at their opponent, giving the sand-manipulating duo an opening to use their Desert Layered Imperial Funeral Seal technique to seal Madara away.

However, Madara escapes with the aid of his Susanoo, only mere moments before the sealing was completed. As the Uchiha begins to boast, Naruto and Kurama lead the counter-attack on Madara by giving him a serious tail-whipping. The resulting attack was enough to damage Madara, sending his right arm flying, and forcing him to retreat. At the same time, however, a White Zetsu Army clone emerges from the ground informing Madara that he was able to complete his mission. Lopping off the unflinching Zetsu's right arm to replace his own, Madara notes — as he reveals his right Rinnegan restored — that he would now be able to have some fun with at least one of his eyes restored.

Chapter 659
The taste of his own blood and the pain he feels makes Madara ecstatic, and as he begins to heal as a result of having Hashirama 's power, he notes that having a living body had made him temporarily careless. Madara prepares to perform a summon, which puts Kurama on edge, recalling when it was summoned by Madara once before. Shukaku tells Kurama not to fret over one human, leading the fox to tell the tanuki never to underestimate Madara. Launching his plan, Madara summons the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path from inside Obito which Kakashi tries ripping its head off, but only manages to take out its right arm before the statue is summoned to Madara's side. Madara notices the damage, and while conceding the opposing side has someone with a good dōjutsu, concludes that it would not make much of a difference.

Naruto and the tailed beasts notice the summon, and that Madara no longer has an Impure World Reincarnation body. Naruto surmises that Madara had Obito bring him back to life. Elsewhere, Black Zetsu and Obito argue over the Rinnegan while Madara jumps atop the statue and focuses his Rinnegan on them, causing the tailed beasts to be sent hurtling backwards. The legendary Uchiha then has the statue use its chains to restrain them before declaring that he will first extract Gyūki and Kurama from their jinchūriki.

Chapter 660
As the two targeted jinchūriki continue to struggle against their restraints, Naruto attempts to withdraw the Tailed Beast Mode, but finds that he cannot suppress Kurama 's chakra as Madara deemed his efforts futile. The White Zetsu Army clone inquires as to why Madara did not go after Shukaku first. Readjusting his strategy after contemplating his minion's words, Madara turns his focus on the One-Tail. Intercepting Madara's assault, however, Gaara creates two enormous sand-hands to help stop the chain from dragging the tanuki into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Declaring that he would not let Madara have the beast, Shukaku is shocked by the Kazekage 's actions; which causes the beast to remember the time when it was sealed within Gaara as a child and its declaration to prey upon his mind, should he ever fall into deep sleep.

As the memories came pouring in, Shukaku also remembers the words of his previous jinchūriki: the priest who had foretold the beast of the day someone would come who would cause the beast to understand the words which were carved into his own hands: "heart" and "acceptance". This lead Shukaku to notice that the kanji for the word "love" (which was craved on Gaara's forehead) was actually a combination for the kanji for "acceptance" and "heart". As the White Zetsu Army clone decries Gaara's actions — having protected the creature which caused him to suffer for so long, and also that Gaara won't die even if Shukaku is sealed in the Demonic Statue — Madara equips his Susanoo and launches one of its swords at Gaara. As the sword hurtles towards Gaara, Shukaku intercepts it, declaring that it prided itself on its Absolute Defence after all. Manipulating the sword to boomerang across the battlefield, Madara is able to break the section of the chain Gaara held and reconnect it to the beast all while sending the sword directly at Gaara whose automatic defence protects him against the attack, but he is still knocked down. Telling the young man not to overdo it, Gaara notes that because he was no longer a jinchūriki, he could stay up as late as he wanted, as Shukaku's equal. As the beasts get dragged in, B severs one of his own tentacles, while Kurama calls out to Gaara to ask a favour. Naruto is then ejected from his Tailed Beast Mode shroud. Gaara calls out to Naruto, who begins to fall to the ground.

Chapter 661
With Kurama extracted from his body, Naruto falls unconscious as he hurtles towards the ground. Gaara uses his sand to cushion his comrade's fall while the tailed beasts are resealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. As Madara criticises himself for his lack of power, he soon turns his attention to the talkative White Zetsu Army clone, noting that they were nothing but failed experiments. Unaffected by these harsh words, the clone soon tells Madara that all was being taken care of on their side.

Narrowly escaping Tobirama 's attack, Madara seemingly gains the upper hand on the Second Hokage only for him to disappear from sight before launching a follow up attack, giving Gaara enough time to escape with Naruto. Madara ultimately pins down Tobirama, and the two exchange words of contempt with one another. Meanwhile, Sasuke prepares to reenter the fray atop Garuda and recalls Hashirama noting that he would give him a technique that would work against Madara in his current state. Though somewhat hesitant at first, Sasuke eventually presents himself to the incapacitated God of Shinobi, who gives him what is left of his chakra to stop Madara. As Madara berates Tobirama, who was once renowned as the fastest shinobi in the world, driving one of the stakes into the Second's head, the Uchiha shares his viewpoint once again before Tobirama makes a last-ditch effort to attack Madara, providing Sasuke with an opening to swoop in. However before Sasuke can land any kind of attack, the young Uchiha finds himself suspended in midair. Ignoring Tobirama's cries to stop, Madara drives the sword through Sasuke's chest, expressing his disappointment in the young Uchiha whom he deemed to have had given more than enough time to do something.

Chapter 662
As Gaara rushes to help Naruto, Tobirama curses Madara for stabbing Sasuke. Elsewhere, an attack from a miniature version of Hashirama 's Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands technique is fended off by the Third Hokage, who is one of the only ones left with enough chakra to fight. The assailant is revealed to be Tobi, who still seems intent on uncovering the mechanics behind bowel movements.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru and his team take cover, planning a surprise attack on Tobi. Karin, who is visibly distraught over Sasuke, is barely able to convey what she senses. Naruto is brought to Tsunade and her disciples Shizune and Sakura, but of the trio Sakura is the only one who still has enough chakra to use medical ninjutsu. As the other sensor-type ninja detect Naruto's presence, Hinata sees Naruto's failing heartbeat and rushes to his side, only to stumble and fall due to her low chakra levels. Tobi and a White Zetsu clone note that despite Naruto being an Uzumaki, his death is inevitable due to Kurama 's extraction. Elsewhere, Sasuke clings to consciousness by remembering his resolve to honour his brother 's sacrifice and to change the shinobi world, but his energy fades as Madara walks away from him. As grief overtakes both Sakura, whose chakra is rapidly diminishing, and Karin, who senses Sasuke's predicament from afar, both realise that if things continue like this both Naruto and Sasuke will die.

Chapter 663
As Naruto lies dying, Sakura continues to use medical ninjutsu on him to no effect. With Sasuke in no better a condition, an anguished Tobirama laments his inability to help the young Uchiha, fearing the worst when he could no longer sense Sasuke's chakra. Meanwhile, as the remainder of Kurama's chakra dissipates from around Sakura, she wonders why her techniques are ineffective until Gaara informs her that Kurama had been extracted from Naruto, and his only hope was to get to Minato and Yin-Kurama as Yang-Kurama had instructed.

As Gaara anchors Sakura with his sand and begins moving faster, Sakura switches her tactics and after making an incision in Naruto's chest, begins to manually pump his heart, and performs CPR, adamant that Naruto is not going to die on her watch. Elsewhere a desperate Karin is able to manifest the Uzumaki chains and decimate parts of Tobi 's statue. Despite being impaled by wooden stakes, Karin merely bites herself to recover from the injuries. Following up on the assault, Suigetsu launches his Water Gun Technique at the Zetsu clone's head revealing there is someone inside and giving Orochimaru enough time to place a cursed seal on the artificial clone, and Jūgo the chance to rescue Karin; who notes that while she was fine, she could no longer sense Sasuke's chakra as they rushed to his aid. All the while, Madara casually seals the Ten-Tails into himself and after assuming his jinchūriki form, departs to claim his left eye. With Sasuke's predicament looking grim, he is approached by an unknown barefooted individual.

Chapter 664
As the mysterious person makes their way closer to Sasuke, neither Tobirama nor Karin can recognise them, nor their chakra signature. Worrying that the mysterious person intends to do harm to Sasuke, Karin presses on ahead. Meanwhile, Guy is ready to continue fighting, though he is obviously extremely worn out. Suddenly, Gaara and Sakura fly overhead. Guy deduces that they will head for Kakashi 's location, and gets even more determined to go, exasperating Tenten.

While Madara flies towards his destination, he gets rid of both the Kohaku no Jōhei and Benihisago noting that the tools were bogging him down. The tools land on Guy and Lee and Tenten then recognises the tools. On the other side of the battlefield, Kakashi and Minato still fight Black Zetsu until Minato's half of Kurama urges him to sense around. As the Kazekage's group arrives, Minato asks Kakashi to fight Obito alongside Gaara as the Hokage starts transferring his tailed beast in his son, all the while remembering a conversation with his wife over protecting their then-unborn child. Before he completes the ritual, however, Black Zetsu manages to extend his body and absorbs Kurama's power in Naruto's place. As he laughs over finally getting his hands on Yin-Kurama, Madara arrives to where Minato and the others are and states that Black Zetsu was taking too long so he decided to come himself.

Chapter 665
Apologising to his master for being delayed so long, Black Zetsu informs Madara that not only was he able to retrieve the eye, but also Yin - Kurama from Minato as well. Seemingly content with that, he commands Zetsu to bring both to him, but as the clone tries to leave Obito 's body — no longer concerned about the threat around him — but finds himself unable to as his host regains consciousness.

The two Uchiha have a conversation about Obito's role in Madara's plan, with the new jinchūriki stating that the other was not Obito, but Madara, the one who rejected the world created by the Sage of the Six Paths which had failed. Calling to him to stand by his side as he had once before, Obito starts walking towards Madara while Minato, Kakashi and Gaara try to stop them. However, their efforts prove futile as Sakura watches on horrified and confused as she tries her best to keep Naruto alive. Stretching out his hand to his ancestor once again, Obito bypasses Madara's own and instead sticks his hand into Madara's chest recreating the same shakujō he wielded when he was the Ten-Tails ' jinchūriki. Renouncing Madara's action and his plan as he remembers Naruto's words, Obito states that his current self is the one that wanted to become Hokage — a person who stands at the forefront of hardship themselves and doesn't manipulate others to achieve their own goals. Declaring that he would no longer be Madara's pawn and hurt his comrades: because he's Obito Uchiha.

Chapter 666
As Kakashi and Minato realise that Obito has finally regained a sense of himself, Madara tries to take his left eye but his outstretched hand phases through him. Locked in their subconsciousnesses, Obito tries to extract the tailed beasts from their current jinchūriki 's body and manages to acquire a fragment of Shukaku and Gyūki 's chakra. Ordering Kakashi to teleport Naruto to the other dimension, Obito tries to go there himself but Madara manages to stop him by sending one of the mysterious orbs flying towards him.

As Kakashi rallies to Obito's side, the latter declares that the legend could now witness the power of a paired Sharingan. In a bid to stop them both simultaneously, Madara launches two of the orbs towards both of them, but the two Mangekyō Sharingan -wielders synchronise their Kamui, doubling the speed of Obito's dimensional transfer. Once in the other dimension a wary Sakura allows Obito to start the tailed beast transfer. In the real world, Kakashi is saved from Madara's attack thanks to Guy. As Madara ponders the new appearance on the battlefield, Minato silently thanks Guy as well as asks Obito to take care of his son.

Chapter 667
Finally arriving to Sasuke 's side, Orochimaru and Taka discover that the mysterious man is Kabuto — who was finally able to break Itachi 's Izanami by finding his true self. Using his medical ninjutsu along with his knowledge about Hashirama's cells, Kabuto begins treating Sasuke under the instruction of Tobirama.

On Madara 's side, Kakashi reassures his sensei that he was all right before the Fourth reiterates that only taijutsu and senjutsu attacks would work on the Ten-Tails ' jinchūriki, but that his skills with senjutsu are limited. Guy opens the seventh gate and attacks Madara with a powerful punch, but to no avail. With Madara trying to kill Guy, Kakashi launches one of Minato's kunai to warp the black orb away, but Guy is instead saved by Rock Lee, who brings him to their comrades' side. As the shinobi wonder about how to deal with their enemy, Guy tells Kakashi that it is time for him to become a crimson beast by opening the eighth gate, which will eventually result in his death.

Chapter 668
Immediately beginning their attempts to dissuade Guy from his decision, his comrades soon abandon this as a fruitless endeavour. Comforting his pupil by telling him that this was no time to look sad, Guy dashes forward to confront Madara once more, opening the Eighth Gate.

Remembering his father Might Duy in these final moments before the confrontation, he remembers how he had lived his life, and in turn, how Guy had loved his own life, passing on principles of unwavering loyalty and true inner strength right down to the very last moment of his life where his father Duy was able to ultimately protect him, and his team-mates Ebisu and Genma, from a generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Though Madara tried to trivialise Guy's incoming onslaught as nothing more than leaves that fall and rot in autumn, Guy corrected him, declaring that those leaves would become nourishment for the new leaves on the tree before reaching his target and attacking him with the Evening Elephant.

Naruto, Volume 70

Chapter 669
Launching his attack on Madara, Guy 's Evening Elephant sends the Uchiha plummeting to the ground, leaving a deep crater in its wake. Guy, however, stops right after the first punch due to the pain, but soon grows accustomed to the pain and restarts the attack. Madara accepts Guy's challenge noting, however, that he should avoid any more hits like those. Lee, Minato, Kakashi, and Gaara decide to support their comrade by disabling the black substance Madara used.

With Lee opening the Sixth Gate, their strategy succeeds and they are able to warp away the black orbs and create an opening for the five steps of Guy's Evening Elephant. Still, Madara manages to get up after being pummelled into the ground, stating that he hadn't felt such excitement since his fight against Hashirama. Meanwhile, Naruto finally opens his eyes.

Chapter 670
Opening his eyes, Naruto is greeted by an unfamiliar person floating above him. Initially believing that he was dead, Naruto soon becomes preoccupied with leaving in order to re-enter the battle. Adding further to his confusion, the young man is unable to comprehend what the stranger is trying to say to him. As a result the latter constantly changes his dialect before finally speaking in a manner that Naruto can understand. With this, the elder reveals himself as none other than the Sage of Six Paths: Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.

Awed but still confused, Naruto listens intently as the Sage regaled the story of how his mother Kaguya had consumed the fruit of the Shinju, how he and his brother had fought the beast to redeem their mother, and how he eventually split up that power. He went on to tell Naruto of how he came to father two children of his own: his first born Indra Ōtsutsuki who was hailed as a solitary genius, and Asura Ōtsutsuki who was initially discarded as no good. Because of this Asura came to rely upon the power of cooperation from others to achieve anything before finally coming into his own power through gruelling hard work. Reconciling with his youngest son's ideals, the Sage left Asura to inherit the world to make it a better place. The Sage explained that like himself, his sons' chakra had transmigrated through time and had constantly been reincarnated into new hosts — most recently with Asura inhabiting Naruto.

Chapter 671
Informing the unpurturbed Naruto that his son Asura 's will was reincarnated into him, Hagoromo also notes that Sasuke had inherited Indra 's will as well. The Sage goes on to explain how Hashirama and Madara were the previous inheritors and explained how the latter had acquired his own power after integrating Hashirama's cells into himself inadvertently mixing Asura and Indra's chakra.

Delving deeper, he tells Naruto how his mother Kaguya had wielded such power far exceeding that of any human that people came to fear her as a demon who ruled over them with two fearsome dōjutsu — something he saw happening with Madara who was attempting to attain the power of the Ten-Tails to achieve power akin to that of Kaguya and Hagoromo. Stating that for too long he had been a bystander of events, the Sage asks Naruto to stop Madara before calling forth the chakra of the nine tailed beasts which Obito had sealed into the young man. As the beasts readily awaited the fulfilment of their long-time prophecy, it is revealed that the Sage is also having the same conversation with Sasuke in his subconscious — intent on including Indra in changing the world. Calling for both young men to stretch out their hands, the Sage imparts his power to both of them. Meanwhile on the battlefield a haughty Madara boasts that the Evening Elephant was not enough to take him down while a battered Guy notes that he would have to use the Night Guy after all.

Chapter 672
As Guy prepares his strongest technique, Madara notes that this is his opponent's last attack based on his chakra levels. While Naruto and Sasuke awaken and prepare to head back onto the battlefield, Lee and Gaara watched the gruesome battle between Guy and Madara wage on. Meanwhile, Kakashi remembers the first time he and his father met Might Guy and Might Duy at the Academy.

While Guy burns his body and radiates a massive aura, similar to a dragon, the Ten-Tails ' jinchūriki shows his excitement about this, but quickly becomes shocked by Guy's speed and ability to distort space when he tries to counter-attack. Guy attacks with a powerful kick, which entirely decimates the left side of Madara's upper body, almost killing him, and creates a massive hole in the Ten-Tails' tree form. After his last attack, Guy distresses when his heart's pressure point is about to fade, and his body starts to deteriorate. While recovering from the attack, Madara launches one of his black orbs, intent on being the one to kill Guy; however, Naruto suddenly appears and kicks it back to him. Laying his hand on Guy, the latter's life force begins to return to his body slowly. As Madara notes that the young man had changed, Naruto notes as well, that he indeed felt like he could change the world with his new power.

Chapter 673
Madara is baffled by Guy 's chakra not disappearing and wonders what Naruto did. Naruto leaps towards Madara, who reforms his shakujō from his remaining Truth-Seeking Ball just in time to defend himself from Naruto's punch. Madara begins to wonder if it's because his own regeneration isn't complete, before concluding that Naruto's power has increased. Naruto asks Son Gokū to lend him its chakra, and the young man creates a senjutsu -enhanced, lava-natured Rasenshuriken. Madara jumps out of the way as it expands, and casts Limbo: Border Jail.

His attack, however, proves ineffective, and both the Uchiha and the Ten-Tails ' tree form are caught in the attack. Lying there, seemingly defeated as the tree falls, Madara hears a voice from the tree to absorb it. Naruto takes the opportunity to retreat with Guy, handing him over to Gaara and Lee, assuring the latter that Guy would not die, before agreeing with the former that when he became Hokage they would be allies. He then heads back to the battlefield. As Kakashi watches on, Sakura thanks Obito in the other dimension for saving Naruto despite her better judgement, leading him to make a request from the young kunoichi. Elsewhere Sasuke frees Tobirama, asking him if he was able to teleport. While observing a change in the young man, he notes that currently, he could only teleport one person and Sasuke decides to go without his team mates. Having absorbed the falling God Tree, Madara recovers and declares that he was immortal and could not be defeated by Naruto. Picking up one of his father 's kunai, Naruto declares as he enters a new mode — complete with his own Truth-Seeking Balls — that he would not be defeating him alone, right as Sasuke — who has apparently awakened the Rinnegan — appears by his side. Noting the changes in the two, Madara states that they each had a power he already possessed, before declaring that this last fight would determine which of them was the most powerful.

Chapter 674
Never one to be outdone, Madara launches his counter-attack on Naruto and Sasuke, which the former is able to deflect while the latter evades it entirely. Madara soon realises that they have worked out the mechanisms behind his Limbo: Border Jail technique and quickly moves to reformulate his strategy. Taking the lead, Sasuke calls for Naruto to use Hagoromo 's power in his next technique to bind Madara. Though reluctant to take orders from his rival and friend, Naruto readies himself to attack once more.

As Madara contemplated how similar he and Sasuke are, wondering if there was a connection beyond familial ties, and lamenting the fact that he could have used the young man had he been born before Obito, his opponents prepare their attack. With Naruto forming the Sage Art: Magnet Release Rasengan using Shukaku 's chakra which also carried the added benefit of a juinjutsu, he and Sasuke — who had formed a Chidori infused with the Six Paths Power — land a simultaneous attack on Madara only to find out that it was the projection from his Limbo technique. Naruto urges Sasuke to stop Madara from reaching his destination, but the young man is too late as Madara rips Kakashi 's Sharingan from his eye socket and sticks it into his own. Meanwhile, in the other dimension, Obito asks Sakura to destroy the Rinnegan as he could no longer suppress Black Zetsu. Before she can, however, Madara uses Kamui to warp into the dimension just as Sasuke cuts him in half in the real world and throws a staff at Sakura declaring that he would not allow them to destroy his eye.

Chapter 675
Reacting to Madara 's attack, Obito transports Sakura out of the other dimension to safety where she informs them of Obito's request and Madara's appearance while tending to Kakashi, who had just lost his Sharingan. Meanwhile, Naruto completes binding Madara's shadow with the help of the Truth-Seeking Balls and a shadow clone whom he leaves behind to monitor the situation.

Within Kamui's dimension Madara has his hand through Obito's chest, and is shocked to find that the cursed seal he placed on his heart had been removed. To Obito's own surprise, Madara reveals that he was the mastermind behind Rin 's capture, as well as her subsequently becoming a jinchūriki that was supposed to be let loose on Konoha, but had also broken the cursed seal in a similar way when she had Kakashi stab her with his Chidori. Rin's death would turn Obito from caring and compassionate to twist it into deep hatred. Deeming that Obito had served his purpose, Madara readies himself to retrieve his Rinnegan. As Naruto makes his way over to his team-mates, Sakura explained the impending danger before watching on in amazement as Naruto replaced Kakashi's snatched eye with a normal one using Hagoromo 's power. Through his team's nostalgic bickering, Kakashi remembers the goals his students had, how far Naruto and Sakura had gotten towards achieving their dreams, and turns to question Sasuke's goals which would have naturally changed once Itachi had died — sentiments that Sakura echoed. Sasuke, however, hesitates before answering and is saved the task as Kakashi senses that Madara was returning from the other dimension using Obito's Kamui. With this, Kakashi reminds his pupils of the paramount first lesson they learned from him — teamwork — as the trio prepare to face their enemy once more.

Chapter 676
Madara returns from the other dimension victorious; having successfully obtained his missing Rinnegan. As Naruto calls out to Obito, Black Zetsu declares that he had taken the Uchiha 's body for his own, all the while chastising Obito's desires for Naruto to succeed as childish. Reflecting upon how she always took a spectatory role in everything, Sakura resolves to create an opening diversion and activates her Ninja Art Creation Rebirth — Strength of a Hundred Technique attacking Madara head on.

Her attacks fails to land on Madara, however, as she is stopped by an invisible force. Retrieved by Naruto and Sasuke, the latter is able to quickly deduce that Madara now is using four shadows after noticing that his attack was ineffective as well. Madara goes on the offence, activating multiple Chibaku Tensei, and attempts to drop the massive earthen debris on his opponents. Naruto and Sasuke are quick to counter-attack using a Tailed Beast Ball Rasenshuriken and Complete Body — Susanoo respectively with four of Naruto's shadow clones confronting Madara's shadows. Despite these efforts, Madara manages to achieve his goal, recalling the text recorded on the stone tablet, and having neared the moon sufficiently, he removes the plating from his forehead revealing a third eye, much like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Turning to the moon, Madara casts the Infinite Tsukuyomi which reflects the dōjutsu from its surface.

Chapter 677
With the dōjutsu reflected on the moon, and the Infinite Tsukuyomi initiating, Tobi abruptly ends the battle, and states that his job was done before releasing the encased Yamato stating that he also had no need for him any longer. The Allied Shinobi Forces brace themselves for another meteor impact but Naruto once again manages to deflect it. Realising the impending danger, Sasuke rushes back to his comrades as Madara casts the genjutsu over the world declaring that everything would become one.

As light emanates from the moon, turning the night as bright as day, the shinobi on the battlefield, as well as all the people and animals around the world begin to fall under the genjutsu with the Rinnegan reflecting in their eyes. The reincarnated Hokage are the only ones left unaffected by this and are left powerless to do anything but watch on as Madara used the God: Nativity of a World of Trees technique to connect all living things to the holy tree's own life force. Sensing the direness of the situation, Naruto moves to help his comrades, however, Sasuke stops him telling Naruto that the only reason they too hadn't fallen prey to the technique was because he was able to use his Susanoo as a shield from the technique and if they were to leave its protection, the same fate would befall them. Just outside the protection of Susanoo, Black Zetsu watches on, wondering if Sasuke's Rinnegan was able to counter the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Meanwhile back in Konohagakure, Minato — who had flew there with Madara's Truth-Seeking Balls — looks on as the citizens are encased by the holy tree and wonders just what is happening.

Chapter 678
The entire world is revealed to be trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi, with the exception of the members of Team 7. Sakura tries to find out just what is going on outside Susanoo 's protection, but Sasuke dismisses her, stating that she would be of no help either way. Kakashi admonishes him for speaking that way, only to be told that without his Sharingan, he was no better than Sakura. Though Naruto also scolds Sasuke for speaking to his teammates that way, Kakashi concludes that it was in fact for the best that Sasuke take the lead on this one.

Sasuke eventually informs everyone that the genjutsu had been cast, and that it would probably take a Rinnegan to break it. The dreamscape of several shinobi are shown after which the glow from the moon fades allowing Team 7 to emerge from Susanoo's protection and confirming Black Zetsu 's suspicions that they were unaffected by the genjutsu. Before he can move to confront them, however, the triumphant Madara appears before them stating that as the "Saviour of this World", he would stop them from destroying the peace he created. As they decried his false peace, Madara is attacked by Black Zetsu much to everyone's shock with Black Zetsu stabbing Madara in the chest with his left hand. Revealing that he harboured the will of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, not Madara's much to the Uchiha 's own horror, the hand that Zetsu had used to impale Madara through the chest causes the Uchiha to start changing.

Chapter 679
As Madara screams out in pain, Sasuke and Naruto notice that Madara's shadows are disappearing. Almost immediately, large amounts of chakra begin bursting out of the ground and converging on Madara. Sasuke deduces that the chakra is coming from everyone falling victim to the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Sensing that the chakra is even more powerful than the Ten-Tails, both Naruto and Sasuke attempt to stop Madara from consuming the chakra, but just when they begin to approach him, they are both caught by two strands of chakra.

While Naruto is worried that if they don't stop the massive chakra, it will end up killing everyone, Black Zetsu tells him that Kaguya had once used the technique, but didn't kill anyone. Instead, she used it to create soldiers, revealing that humans who were caught under the genjutsu previously eventually became the White Zetsu Army, through a slow process over time. While explaining, Madara's body begins to expand, due to the massive intake of chakra. After Black Zetsu transfers itself into Madara, Obito collapses to the ground, with Kakashi looking worried. The massive chakra finally settles down, everyone is shocked as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki is fully revived. Sensing both Sasuke's and Naruto's chakra, she grabs them and sends them hurling to the ground. Sakura, worried, tries to help but immediately stops when Kaguya walks right past her. Kaguya, using her Byakugan, wonders if the chakra she's sensing is from her sons, but recognises that it's Indra 's and Asura 's, and concludes is the one who gave them the techniques. Kakashi laments Obito 's apparent death, he asks Kaguya what her plan is, to which she states that she doesn't want any more damage to be done to her "nursery" before instantaneously shifting them all into another dimension filled with lava.