Naruto: The Shinobi Alliance, Explained

Summary

• The Fourth Great Ninja War saw the historic unification of the Five Great Nations against the Akatsuki threat.
• The Allied Shinobi Forces’ efficient structure and leadership ensured unity among 80,000 shinobi and samurai.
• The war’s aftermath led to the formation of the Shinobi Union, fostering lasting peace and technological advancements.

Among the many conflicts and arcs in Naruto Shippuden, none had a greater impact than the Fourth Great Ninja War. This epic war, spanning hundreds of episodes, saw legendary shinobi, the resurrection of fallen heroes, and a battle for the fate of the world. At the heart of this war was the Allied Shinobi Forces, a historic unification of the Five Great Nations and the Land of Iron against the looming threat of the Akatsuki and the reawakened Madara Uchiha.

What started as a summit between the Five Kage quickly escalated into an all-out war when Obito, posing as Madara, declared his intent to wage war after the nations refused to surrender the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails and Eight-Tails. This declaration forced the once-fractured villages to set aside their long-standing rivalries and unite under a single banner. The Allied Shinobi Forces became the last hope against a force that sought to plunge the world into an eternal illusion.

The Formation of the Allied Shinobi Forces

The Five Kage Summit: A Pivotal Meeting

The idea of an alliance was first discussed at the Five Kage Summit, which convened in response to the growing threat of the Akatsuki. The Akatsuki had already captured seven of the nine-tailed beasts, leaving only Killer B and Naruto Uzumaki. Recognizing the dire situation, the Kage gathered in the Land of Iron, a neutral samurai territory, to discuss their course of action.

Tensions ran high, as the villages had long-standing animosities due to past wars and betrayals. However, when Obito, masquerading as Madara Uchiha, crashed the summit and demanded the surrender of Naruto and Killer B, the Five Kage refused. In retaliation, he declared the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Faced with no other choice, the Kage agreed to form the Allied Shinobi Forces, marking the first time in history that all five great villages would fight as one.

Structure and Leadership

To ensure the alliance functioned efficiently, a clear chain of command was established:

• Supreme Commander: Raikage A was chosen to lead due to his experience and strength.
• Regimental Commander: Gaara was placed in charge of the entire battle regiment.
• Intelligence and Strategy: Shikaku Nara spearheaded planning and battlefield tactics.
• Support and Logistics: Various specialized shinobi, including Inoichi Yamanaka and Shizune, were placed in charge of medical, intelligence, and sensory divisions.

This leadership ensured that the vast army of 80,000 shinobi and samurai operated as a single, cohesive unit against the enemy forces.

The Battle Divisions of the Allied Shinobi Forces

To maximize efficiency on the battlefield, the alliance was divided into multiple divisions, each with a specific role:

Main Battle Divisions

• First Division (Mid-Range Combat): Led by Darui, specializing in lightning and water jutsu.
• Second Division (Short-Range Combat): Commanded by Kitsuchi, focused on earth-based close-quarters combat.
• Third Division (Long-Range Combat): Gaara commanded this division, utilizing sand and other ranged techniques.
• Fourth Division (Special Tactics): Led by Mifune, comprising elite samurai known for their sword techniques.
• Fifth Division (Support and Defense): Operated under General Kankurō, handling ambush tactics and ranged puppet-based support.

Supporting Divisions

• Medical Division: Led by Shizune, responsible for treating the wounded.
• Intelligence Division: Led by Inoichi Yamanaka, tasked with gathering and relaying enemy information.
• Sensor Division: Led by Ao, responsible for detecting enemy movement.
• Logistics and Communications: Ensuring supply lines remained functional during the war.

The Allied Shinobi Forces Technique

One of the most impressive displays of unity during the war was the Allied Shinobi Forces Technique, a large-scale strategic maneuver devised by Shikaku Nara. This technique combined various unique abilities of shinobi from different nations to attack, restrain, and counter the overwhelming power of the Ten-Tails and the White Zetsu Army. The operation began with an effort to disrupt enemy sensory abilities. The Hidden Cloud’s shinobi blinded opponents with powerful lightning-based illusions, while Hidden Sand’s warriors manipulated air currents to spread dust across the battlefield, further impairing enemy visibility. Simultaneously, the Hidden Mist forces shrouded the area in thick fog, and the Aburame clan unleashed insects to jam sensory perception, making it nearly impossible for enemies to detect their surroundings.

With the enemy disoriented, the next phase focused on restraining the Ten-Tails. Hidden Stone shinobi used earth-style techniques to create a massive sinkhole, pulling the beast into the ground. Meanwhile, Hidden Mist’s water-based attacks combined with Hidden Rock’s lava techniques to create a quicklime mixture that solidified into concrete, temporarily trapping the beast. The Sarutobi clan then superheated the substance to strengthen the hold. Despite their efforts, the Ten-Tails eventually evolved and broke free, proving its immense power.

The final phase saw the Allied Shinobi Forces launch a coordinated taijutsu assault on Madara and Obito, attempting to overwhelm them with sheer numbers. While their attacks were eventually countered, the strategy proved the strength of unity among the villages, allowing Naruto and his allies to gain crucial openings in the battle.

Key Events in the Fourth Great Ninja War

Madara Uchiha vs. The Allied Shinobi Forces

To this day, Madara’s first appearance and his fight against the Shinobi alliance is the most iconic scene in the entire war. His unmatched strength allowed him to obliterate entire divisions single-handedly. And in a display of raw power, Madara cut through thousands of shinobi, utilized devastating fire-style techniques, and unleashed a meteor that crushed the battlefield. This was also when we got one of Madara’s most memorable quotes:

Do not misunderstand. This is not power of your creation!

Kakashi Hatake vs. Obito Uchiha

Kakashi Hatake confronted his former comrade Obito Uchiha in a deeply emotional battle. Their duel, which seamlessly blended taijutsu and ninjutsu, was interwoven with flashbacks of their past friendship, making it one of the most heartfelt and well-choreographed fights in the series. In the end, Kakashi managed to best Obito, marking a turning point in the war.

The Four Hokage vs. Ten-Tails

Revived by Orochimaru, the Four Hokage arrived on the battlefield to confront the Ten-Tails. Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato showcased their legendary strength as they worked to contain the monstrous beast. Though their efforts were impressive, the battle took a darker turn when Obito became the Ten-Tails’ jinchūriki.

Might Guy vs. Madara Uchiha

In one of the most breathtaking fights in Naruto Shippuden, Might Guy activated the Eight Gates and launched an all-out assault on Madara Uchiha. His immense speed and power overwhelmed even Madara, earning him recognition as “the strongest” by the Uchiha himself. Despite his valiant effort, Madara survived, but Guy’s sacrifice created a crucial opening in the battle.

I, Madara, declare you the strongest!

The Aftermath: The Fate of the Allied Shinobi Forces

The Birth of the Shinobi Union

With the war’s conclusion, the Allied Shinobi Forces disbanded, but the cooperation between nations endured. The five great villages, along with smaller ones, formed the Shinobi Union, ensuring a period of peace and mutual protection.

The Shinobi Union played a key role in rebuilding the war-torn lands and facilitating technological advancements. This unity allowed for the rapid modernization of villages and the strengthening of international relationships. Konoha became a diplomatic hub where Kage meetings could take place without fear of betrayal.

Despite the newfound peace, challenges persisted. The bonds forged during the war proved strong enough to repel new threats, solidifying the Allied Shinobi Forces’ legacy for future generations.

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.