Third Shinobi World War

Not much has been mentioned about the Third Great Shinobi War, other than information given in the "Kakashi Gaiden" mini-series. The known combatants were the Rock, Leaf, Grass and Sand. Other combatants are currently unknown.

Causes
One of the known causes of this war is the disappearance of the Third Kazekage (decades later it was found out that he was killed by Sasori and then turned into one of his Human Puppets). The sand village became desperate and was willing to find their Kazekage at all costs. They mustered their forces and this became the reason for Sunagakure's enemies invasion.

Development
Konoha has been fighting against the joint forces of Rock and Sand villages. In the beginning of the war the Rock ninjas were very successful and they almost reached the borders of the Land of Fire. But Team Minato managed to destroy a vital bridge which was used for supplying of Rock's forces. The destruction of the bridge became the turning point of the war. Minato Namikaze, also known as Konoha's Yellow Flash, who became later the Fourth Hokage, was a hero of this war and the Rock ninjas were given a flee-on sight-order because of his skills.

Kakashi Hatake also gained fame during this time, as the only ninja known to have a Sharingan implanted in his left eye in order to replace one lost in battle. He became known as Copy Ninja Kakashi and has since copied over one-thousand jutsu.

Pain was first affected, and his rinnegan activated during this time, when Konoha ninja's entered his home and killed his parents.