Third Shinobi World War

The Third Great Shinobi World War has seen little exposure in the series outside of the Kakashi Gaiden arc. It is suggested to have begun with the disappearance of the Third Kazekage. Sunagakure went to such lengths to find its Kazekage that it provoked intervention from neighboring countries. Konohagakure and Iwagakure eventually began fighting across Kusagakure. It was not until the destruction of the Kannabi Bridge that the war began turning in Konoha's favor.

Minato Namikaze became a hero during the war as "Konoha's Yellow Flash", leading to his appointment as the Fourth Hokage. Kakashi Hatake, having gained his Sharingan from Obito Uchiha during the mission to destroy the Kannabi Bridge, also gained fame as "Copy Ninja Kakashi". Itachi Uchiha was traumatized by the violence of the war and grew to crave peace at any cost because of it. The rest of his life would be greatly affected by this experience.