Naruto Uzumaki doesn’t technically fight Itachi Uchiha and Nagato simultaneously in any single episode. However, he fights Nagato after Itachi is reanimated and assists in subduing him.
Unraveling the Narrative: Naruto’s Encounters with Nagato and Itachi
The question of when Naruto fights Nagato and Itachi is deceptively simple. It hinges on the understanding that these encounters occur at different times and under different circumstances within the Naruto Shippuden storyline. While Naruto faces them separately, Itachi’s involvement in the final battle against Nagato adds complexity and necessitates a detailed breakdown.
Naruto’s solo battle against Nagato (reanimated) occurs during the Fourth Great Ninja War. He encounters Nagato, alongside Itachi Uchiha, who has been freed from Kabuto’s control using Kotoamatsukami. While not a direct, prolonged, and focused battle between Naruto and Itachi, Itachi’s presence and strategic contributions are vital in defeating Nagato. This confrontation happens across several episodes.
To pinpoint the specific episodes, let’s look at the relevant arc and the sequences of events:
The Kabuto Yakushi Reanimation Arc and The Fourth Great Ninja War
The Fourth Great Ninja War arc sees Kabuto Yakushi using the Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei) to revive powerful deceased shinobi, including Nagato and Itachi. This sets the stage for Naruto’s eventual confrontation.
The key episodes where the events surrounding Naruto’s confrontation with Nagato and Itachi unfold are:
- Episode 256, “Alliance Military Jutsu!”: This episode marks the formal beginning of the Fourth Great Ninja War and introduces the reanimated forces.
- Episode 271, “Road to Sakura”: Although a filler episode, it sets the stage for the events that follow regarding Itachi.
- Episode 280, “Aesthetic Creation”: Features the beginning of the fight against Itachi and Nagato, both reanimated.
- Episode 281, “Allied Forces Jutsu!”: Continues the confrontation between Itachi and Nagato, and features the beginning of Naruto’s involvement in the battle.
- Episode 282, “Secrets of the Reanimation Technique”: This episode is crucial. Itachi uses Kotoamatsukami to break free of Kabuto’s control and joins forces with Naruto and Killer Bee.
- Episode 283, “Who Are You?!”: Sees Itachi using his Susanoo to assist in sealing away Nagato and successfully stopping his rampage.
Therefore, while Naruto doesn’t fight a simultaneous battle against both Nagato and Itachi, episodes 280-283 are central to his encounter with a reanimated Nagato, where Itachi plays a significant role in ultimately defeating Nagato alongside Naruto. The climax of this encounter and Nagato’s sealing occur in Episode 283.
It’s important to note that the battle is not a one-on-one fight with Naruto single-handedly defeating Nagato. It is a collaborative effort, with Itachi strategically weakening Nagato and exploiting his weaknesses to allow Naruto and Killer Bee to seal him.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions that will shed further light on this significant part of the Naruto storyline:
1. Why was Nagato reanimated?
Nagato was reanimated by Kabuto Yakushi using the Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu) as part of his war strategy. Kabuto aimed to utilize Nagato’s immense power, particularly the Rinnegan, to bolster the Akatsuki’s forces and overwhelm the Allied Shinobi Forces. Nagato’s Rinnegan and mastery of its techniques made him a formidable weapon.
2. How did Itachi break free of Kabuto’s control?
Itachi broke free of Kabuto’s control due to a trap he had set within Sasuke using Shisui Uchiha’s Mangekyo Sharingan’s genjutsu, Kotoamatsukami. This powerful technique overwrites a person’s will without them even realizing it. Itachi programmed it to activate when he encountered his brother Sasuke, but it triggered upon encountering Naruto, ordering him to protect Konoha. The crow containing the jutsu was absorbed by Itachi, releasing him from Kabuto’s control.
3. What role did Killer Bee play in the fight against Nagato?
Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, played a crucial support role in the fight against Nagato. His Eight-Tails’ chakra and powerful attacks provided valuable assistance to Naruto. He worked in tandem with Naruto, utilizing his massive power to disrupt Nagato’s movements and create openings for attacks. His collaboration was essential in weakening Nagato and facilitating his eventual sealing.
4. What made Nagato such a difficult opponent, even after being reanimated?
Even in his reanimated state, Nagato remained a formidable opponent due to his mastery of the Rinnegan. He could utilize its various paths – the Deva Path (gravity manipulation), Asura Path (mechanical augmentation), Human Path (soul extraction), Animal Path (summoning), Preta Path (chakra absorption), and Naraka Path (resurrection). The reanimation also granted him an endless supply of chakra, removing the limitations he faced when alive.
5. How did Itachi’s Susanoo contribute to the fight against Nagato?
Itachi’s Susanoo, a powerful humanoid avatar, provided significant protection and offensive capabilities. Its Yata Mirror could deflect virtually any attack, while the Totsuka Blade was capable of sealing anything it pierced into a genjutsu world. He used the Yata Mirror to defend against Nagato’s attacks and ultimately used the Totsuka Blade to seal Nagato away.
6. What was the key strategy used to defeat Nagato in this fight?
The key strategy was a coordinated assault that capitalized on Itachi’s analytical skills and his ability to exploit Nagato’s weaknesses. Itachi recognized that Nagato’s ability to absorb chakra through the Preta Path left him vulnerable while he was absorbing. They exploited this vulnerability by coordinating attacks during these absorption phases.
7. Why didn’t Naruto use Sage Mode or Kurama’s chakra to a greater extent in this fight?
Naruto did use Sage Mode and Kurama’s chakra during the battle. He used Sage Mode to enhance his sensory abilities and taijutsu, and tapped into Kurama’s chakra to augment his power and speed. He needed both skills to keep up with Nagato’s onslaught of attacks. He couldn’t solely rely on Kurama’s chakra due to its limited availability at that point in the war, and he combined them to maximize his effectiveness.
8. What happened to Nagato after he was sealed?
Once sealed by Itachi’s Totsuka Blade, Nagato’s reanimated body was effectively neutralized. He was no longer under Kabuto’s control and could not be resurrected again through the Reanimation Jutsu. His soul was freed from the control of Edo Tensei, and he returned to the Pure Land.
9. Was this the last time Nagato was seen in the Naruto series?
Yes, this was effectively the last time Nagato was seen in the main Naruto Shippuden series. While his story and motivations were explored in flashbacks and his legacy continued to influence events, his reanimated form was permanently sealed in this encounter.
10. Did this battle change Naruto’s perspective in any way?
This battle further solidified Naruto’s resolve and reinforced his belief in the importance of teamwork and understanding. Witnessing Itachi’s selflessness and Nagato’s tragic backstory deepened his understanding of the complexities of the ninja world and the cyclical nature of hatred. It strengthened his determination to break that cycle and create a world of peace.
11. How does this fight compare to Naruto’s previous encounter with Nagato as Pain?
This fight differs significantly from Naruto’s previous encounter with Nagato as Pain. In the Pain arc, Naruto was fueled by rage and a desire for revenge after the destruction of Konoha and the death of Jiraiya. He ultimately managed to defeat Pain by appealing to Nagato’s sense of morality. In the Fourth Shinobi World War battle, Nagato was being controlled and wasn’t acting on his own will, making the battle more about strategy and working together than about confronting ideals.
12. What is the overall significance of this battle within the Fourth Great Ninja War arc?
The battle is significant because it showcases the impact of Itachi’s actions. Itachi’s ability to free himself and assist in sealing Nagato was a turning point in the war. This helped turn the tide against Kabuto’s reanimated army and demonstrated the power of trust and cooperation between former enemies. It also symbolized the eventual redemption of Itachi in the eyes of Naruto and the Allied Forces.