Plot of Naruto: Shippūden

The plot of the second part of the manga and anime series Naruto, titled Naruto: in the anime and simply Part II in the manga, was set two and a half years after the present timeline in Part I. The new setting for the series began with volume 28 (chapter 245) of the manga. The anime adaptation of the manga started airing on February 15 2007, premiering with the first two episodes debuting in a one-hour special. Viz is working on a North American DVD series of Naruto Shippūden, which is planned for release on September 29, 2009. The US publication of the manga began in January 2008, in the US issue of Shonen Jump.

The new story revolved mainly around Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno's new adventures, and their search for Sasuke Uchiha after he defected from Konoha in order to gain Orochimaru's power. The plot laters involves new major characters, such as Sai and Yamato. The plot also showed a more active Akatsuki in their quest to obtain all the tailed beasts.

Five Kage Summit arc

 * This arc starts from chapter 450. to current

New Orders
Kakashi found Naruto and returned him to Konoha, where all the villagers and ninja had gathered to congratulate Naruto on his victory. Team Samui had finally reached Konoha. Tsunade was now in a comatose state, and was unresponsive, and, as such, a new Hokage was to be elected. In the meeting to decide who the next Hokage would be, Shikaku nominated Kakashi, much to Danzo's annoyance. Danzo then said that all the previous Hokages had, in some way, destroyed the village. The Fire Daimyo then elected Danzo as the acting Sixth Hokage.

Meanwhile, Team Kakashi met with the employers of their first major assignment, Tazuna and Inari, who had agreed to help rebuild Konoha. Elsewhere, Sai was assigned by Danzo to keep an eye on Naruto, and to report his actions and movements back to him. While Team Kakashi and Tazuna discussed Sasuke, and Naruto promised his friends that he would someday bring Sasuke home. However, moments later they were made aware of the new order to eliminate Sasuke as a missing-nin. Upon returning, Sai remarked that he was unable to reveal Danzo's reasoning because of cursed seal given to all Root members.

Overhearing information about Sasuke, the two members of Team Samui, Omoi and Karui, attacked Team Kakashi in order to gain information about Sasuke and Akatsuki. Knowing Akatsuki's goals, Naruto offered his support in finding Killer Bee and rescuing him before the extraction. They took Naruto to a secluded area, unknownst to them being followed by Sai, and interrogated Naruto. Naruto, however, due to the lessons he had learned from Pain, offered himself to be beaten to relieve Karui of the pain she felt. After a thorough beating, Sai stepped in to protect Naruto. Omoi himself stated that no matter what Karui did to him, he would not betray Sasuke. Samui found them and informed them that they would be going to the Raikage to give him their report.

Taken for medical care, Naruto told Kakashi, Yamato, and Sai his intentions to leave the village and find the Raikage, and to ask for a pardon for Sasuke. Yamato reminded him, however, that, without the First Hokage's Necklace, the already weak seal shouldn't be strained, and, as he had been assigned to help rebuild the village, couldn't be there to seal the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox if something should happen. Naruto told them that his father had told him about the one in the mask, who was controlling the members of Akatsuki, and who was responsible for the attack on Konoha, and how he was so strong that Minato couldn't defeat him. When pressed for anything else the Fourth had told Naruto, Naruto told them that his father had said how he believed in him, which was enough to convince Kakashi that Yamato and himself should accompany Naruto to the Raikage.

Taka's Move
Taka, after abandoning Akatsuki after the completion of their goal to capture the Eight-Tailed Giant Ox, were stopped by Madara Uchiha, who was angered at Taka's failure of catching the Eight-Tails and at their betrayal of Akatsuki. When Sasuke attempted to fight his way through, Madara said that he would fight Sasuke, and then calmly told him that Konoha had already been destroyed by Pain. He gave Taka a new assignment: to kill the new Hokage, Danzo, who was on his way to the Kage Summit. After they had agreed to the new assignment, Madara had Zetsu divide himself in order to lead Taka to the Summit.

Madara told the other side of Zetsu that Pain's defeat was a hindrance to his plans, and that Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique was supposed to be used on him. He also said that, if Sasuke couldn't be controlled properly, then he was of no use to him. He announced that it was time for him to step out of the shadows and to commence with his.

The Kage Summit
Gaara, the Kazekage of Sunagakure, Onoki the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, and the Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure departed from their villages with two guards each, as requested by the Raikage, to the location of the Summit.

Danzo ordered Root members Dajimu and Terai to continue watching Anko, and to find Kabuto before she did so that she didn't discover any experimental data Orochimaru had had about his right arm and eye. He also ordered members Fu and Torune to act as his bodyguards for the journey to the summit. On their way to the meeting, Danzo was attacked by two assailants, leading him to remove the bandages over his eye to reveal a bloodshot Sharingan. Danzo quickly dispatched of the seventeen Hanya assassins from the Land of the Wood and continued toward the meeting.

Back in Konoha, Yamato planted tracking devices on Team Samui, Naruto said his goodbyes to Konohamaru, and Kakashi put two Foundation members under genjutsu. He then told Sai to report to Danzo that Naruto had not left Konoha. Naruto, Kakashi, and Yamato left for the meeting to plead to the Raikage. While Naruto, Kakashi, and Yamato were able to catch up to the Raikage in the Land of Iron, where the summit was taking place, he ignored Naruto's pleas to call off the hunt for Sasuke and scolded Naruto for being weak and begging so easily. He then continued to the meeting of the five Kage, where Mifune, the leader of the Land of Iron, started the meeting while each Kage's bodyguards looked on.

As the five Kage quickly began to argue due to the differences in their ideologies, Danzo's mention of Killer Bee sent Raikage into a rage. Smashing his fist into the floor in anger, the Raikage quickly had to be protected by his own bodyguards, who stopped those of the other Kage before they could stop the Raikage by force. This quick scuffle briefly revealed Kankuro's new puppet, which mysteriously resembles Sasori, and that Temari now summons her fan with a scroll instead of always carrying it around with her.

After Raikage was calmed, he explained that Akatsuki was not only made up of missing-nin from every village but his, but the villages had also used Akatsuki for their own purposes: the Fourth Kazekage attempted to use Akatsuki to destroy Konoha, the Tsuchikage hired Akatsuki as a mercenary force to prevent inexperienced ninja from Iwagakure being sent into battle themselves, and Mizukage admitted that the Fourth Mizukage and the Three-Tailed Giant Turtle's jinchūriki, Yagura, may have been manipulated by Akatsuki.

Stopping further argument between the Kage, Danzo told them that Akatsuki's leader was almost certainly Madara Uchiha. In light of this information, Mifune suggested that a five-country alliance be formed to eliminate the threat of Akatsuki. When questioned about who would lead such an alliance, Mifune stated that he would decide due to being the leader of the neutral country. Since the only country left with its host was the Land of Fire, Mifune decided the Hokage, Danzo, would lead. However, the Raikage and Tsuchikage opposed this decision.

Mifune states the flaws of all the other Kages and why they could not lead. Ao, however, finds something unusual in the midst of the summit and reveals his Byakugan under his eye patch. He immediatly sees that Danzo has two different chakra colors, one belonging to him, and the other belonging to Shisui Uchiha. Ao quickly interupts the Summit and reveals that Danzo had taken Shisui's Sharingan and that Shisui had the ability to manipulate other people's minds. The furious Raikage accuses Danzo of controlling Mifune's mind. Suddenly, Zetsu's white-half appeared in the middle of the Summit ground and informed the Kages that Sasuke was near.

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Shikamaru gets consent from Sakura to go hunt down Sasuke with the rest of the Konoha 11. Sakura decides to go and find Naruto in the Land of Iron and ask for his permission to hunt down Sasuke.

Raikage vs. Sasuke
The Summit grounds soon turn into a battlefield. The enraged Raikage demanded Zetsu to give him the location of Sasuke. Zetsu mocks him and Raikage makes Zetsu collapse after choking him. As he storms out of the meeting room, Sasuke had already began battling the Samurai. After a quick massacre, leaving only one samurai alive, Raikage crashes into the battlefield ready to fight.

Both Sasuke and the Raikage's subordinates soon join in the fight. The Raikage quickly shows off his immense might by destroying Suigetsu's sword. Jugo then steps in by fully transforming into his Final Stage. Forcing Jugo into a wall and punching a whole into his chest, the Raikage proclaims victory but Jugo then releases a blast at point blank. Able to avoid Jugo's attack he then uses a counter-attack. He then enters into a solo battle with Sasuke, while Suigetsu fights Raikage's subordinates.

Naruto is then greeted by Tobi. Naruto fails to finish Madara off with a Rasengan but Yamato binds him using a wood attack. Kakashi arrives and questions Tobi's appearance. Tobi reveals to them that he is indeed Madara Uchiha. Madara then tells them he has a plan, but only wants to talk. Madara begins to tell Naruto about Sasuke and how he has been eaten up by hatred. He states that Naruto and Sasuke have been chosen as the successors to the Senju and the Uchiha. He states that Naruto and Kakashi know nothing about Sasuke and that Sasuke uses hatred and revenge as his weapons and friends.

At the Land of Iron, Taka battles the Raikage and his team. The Raikage shows that he has an advantage and slams Sasuke to the ground. Sasuke then recovers, and manages to charge at the Raikage. Raikage approaches Sasuke and uses his immense strength to fight Sasuke who is mainly using his jutsu and sword. After being eventually injured by Raikage he sees Suigetsu struggling who uses Mangekyou Sharingan and Amaterasu to fight off Raikage's Subordinates. Surronding him is a field of Chidori which Raikage breaks through stabbing Sasuke. Sasuke uses this to his advantage and starts burning Raikage with Amaterasu who is forced to cut off his own right arm to stop it engulfing him although the burning continues through his shoulder. Raikage takes advantage of Sasuke who is distracted by the pain in his eyes. As he is about to perform a finishing blow, Gaara intervenes.

Team Gaara, Mizukage and Tsuchikage vs. Sasuke
Gaara states that Sasuke's eyes are still cold, and that revenge isn't the answer as he knows the truth now. Sasuke states that his path is darkness and revenge. Temari and Kankuro scold Gaara in finishing his duty as Kazekage, Gaara understood and attacks Sasuke. Sasuke uses Amaterasu on Gaara but Gaara protected himself with his sand. Darui who joins the fight helps Team Suna attack Sasuke at once. Susanoo protected Sasuke, and Sasuke states that its his ultimate defense. Everyone retreats at the sight of Sasuke's Susanoo, who attacks the pillars in hopes of collapsing the roof. Karin, who is watching the entire ordeal, almost falls but the hand from Susanoo grabs her before she does. Sasuke asks if she has found Danzo, to which she replies yes. Sasuke tells her to take him to Danzo. Karin then questions what has become of him. The other Kages, back at the meeting room, are talking. Ao then notices Sasuke standing upside down from the roof. He and Danzo lock eyes. Mifune tries to attack him with his sword but Sasuke blocks it. He then notices Danzo has escaped. He is about to chase after him but is stopped by The Mizukage, who uses her Kekkei Genkai to attack him, prompting a battle between the two. A battle begins, when her subordinate, Chojuro, knocks Sasuke through a wall and The Mizukage traps him in a cornered of room. After revealing that she has 3 element types and 2 Kekkai Genkai she attacks him. Sasuke is forced to drop Susanoo after losing to much chkara in his previous fights. He faces the full wrath of her Acid Techniques until Zetsu shows up and begins draining all the Kage's (minus Danzo, Gaara and Raikage) and their subordinates of their chakra and giving it to Sasuke. Sasuke, with his powers returned uses Susanoo to defeat the Mizukage and break down the walls. Sasuke realizes he must still fight the Tsuchikage who decides to step in. Sasuke with little stamina left and health quickly dropping due to Susanoo is quickly defeated by the Tsuchikage's ultimate technique, Dust Style Jutsu which breaks past Susanoo. The Raikage and Team Gaara return. Believing Sasuke to have been killed, the Tsuchikage debates what to do with Karin after Kankuro gets rid of Zetsu's Spore Technuique. As Raikage whines on how he wanted to kill Sasuke, Madara Uchiha appears with Sasuke(Who is barely breathing and unconscious) in his arms.

Madara & The Five Kage's
The enraged Raikage refuses to listen to Madara saying that he doesn't listen to criminals and attacks Madara, only for his attack to prove useless. The Tsuchikage calms him down, and proposes that they all listen to what Madara has to say.

Madara meanwhile transports Sasuke away using his space time ninjutsu, much to the surprise of everyone, and similarly transports Karin away ordering her to heal Sasuke, and sends them both to some unidentified location. Gaara asks why Madara is so keen on having Sasuke on his side. Madara replies that any eye that can awaken Susanoo is rare, and that he likes to preserve such eyes. He further states that he wanted Sasuke to further strengthen those eyes and it was for that reason that he had ordered Sasuke to attack the Summit. He reveals that he had hoped that Sasuke would considerably weaken the kages allowing him to enter the battle at the final stage, to take them hostage, but then he grudgingly admits that he might have overestimated Sasuke's abilities as well, but regardless, it was of no major importance, he tells them off handedly.

When the Mizukage asks him as to why he wanted to take the Kage's hostage, he states that it would have helped his Moon's eye plan progress faster.

Madara then begins to explain his Moon's Eye Plan, and therefore a uneasy truce settles where the Kage's and their guards pause to listen to Madara.

The Tsuchikage points out that even he, who is the oldest of them all is surprised to realize that the legendary Madara Uchiha is still alive, and further asks him, why a man of his caliber is trying to move around in the shadows and making plays like running a shadow organization like the Akatsuki to fulfill his aims, when with his power he could take anything he wanted to by force.

Madara softly replies that the injuries he has received from Hashirama Senju during the battle at the Valley of the End, have left him nearly crippled and a mere shell of his former self, at which the others seem surprised.

Temari asks whether he is collecting the Bijuu to return to his former strength at which Madara answers ambiguously. He states that his purpose is to have all become one with him, and proceeds to explain.

He tells everyone that the Uchiha clan has in its possession a tablet passed down for generations, a tablet written by the Sage of Six Paths himself. The Tsuchikage scoffs and says that the Sage is a myth, to which Madara rebuffs his accusations, and tells everyone that the sage did exist.

He further tells everyone, that the inscriptions on the tablet can be deciphered only by reading it with the Sharingan, the Mangekyo Sharingan and the Rinnegan. The Mizukage points out that since the Akatsuki had a man with the Rinnegan in its ranks, and since Madara possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan, he must have known what was in the tablet.

Madara nods and proceeds to tell the story of the Rikudo Sennin.

Apparently, the reason why the Sage was regarded as a God and savior of the world was because he saved the world from a terrible monster. He further points out that Gaara once housed a part of the monster. He finally reveals that the legendary monster which the sage defeated was the Ten-Tailed beast, the Juubi.

Temari vehemently denies the existence of such a creature to which Madara replies that the Ten-Tailed beast is a fusion of all the nine Bijuu. Apparently, the Rikudo Sennin defeated the beast by sealing it within himself, thus making himself the first ever Jinchuuriki. Madara reveals that the seals for making Hosts was originally devised by the Sage himself, which has been passed throughout time.

Kankuro then postulates that Madara is seeking to collect all the Bijuu to gain the power of the Juubi, to which Madara replies by stating that he will use the beasts to become complete.

He further reveals that the Sage knew that when he would die, the Juubi would be released, and therefore on his death bed, the Sage of the Six Paths used the last of his powers to split the beast into nine parts and scattered them around the world, where those nine pieces eventually became the nine Bijuu, and he further went so far as to seal up the Juubi's body in a massive Chibaku Tensei and sent it into space forever out of the reach of mankind, thereby creating the moon.

Darui remarks with skepticism stating that such acts could not be performed by any human, regardless of their abilities. Madara replies by saying that by being the Jinchuuriki of the Juubi, the Sage was beyond Human and such abilities were well within his grasp.

Mifune shrewdly guesses that Madara too desires the same beyond human powers which the Sage possessed.

Madara admits to it, and states that he intends to collect all the Bijuu to revive the Juubi, and then by using the seal devised by the sage, he would become the second Jinchuuriki of the ten tailed beast himself thereby raising his Sharingan to the ultimate level.

He reveals that after attaining that power, he would use a worldwide genjutsu by transplanting his Jutsu on the moon, the technique of Infinite Tsukuyomi or the Mugen Tsukuyomi to enthrall the entire world and to control the population of the entire world, thereby creating a world without strife or evil.

The Kage's react negatively to that stating that they will never allow it to happen. The Raikage states that he will never hand over the world to a mad man like Madara. Gaara states that a peace created by illusion is no peace, and that it will never stand. The Mizukage states that such a world would rob the world of hope and freedom, and she would not allow it as well. The Tsuchikage accuses Madara of being a hypocrite, and says that Madara and Danzo are very similar, and that all they wanted was to take the world for themselves, under altruistic ideals.

Madara replies that Hope is for fools, and it is a sign of resignation. He calmly demands the Kage's to hand over the eight and nine tailed beasts at which the Kage's are shocked.

The Raikage demands to know what he means, as he still believes that the Akatsuki possesses his brother.

Madara replies that they never caught his brother in the first place. He states that Killer Bee is the perfect host, and escaped them even before they captured him, and states that he would expect nothing less from the brother of the Raikage. The Raikage enraged at the fact that his brother made a fool out of him to go gallivanting around loses his temper and swears to make his brother pay.

Ignoring him, Madara flatly demands the Kage's to hand over the eight and nine tailed beasts to him or to face war. He states that even though he possesses no power on his own, the power of all the tailed beasts he has collected so far is his to use, and states that the Shinobi world has no chance of beating seven bijuu all at the same time, and advises them to surrender and avoid war.

All the Kage's refuse flatly, at which Madara formally declares the 4th Ninja World War between the five villages and the Akatsuki to commence as of then.