Naruto begins several years after the end of the Third Shinobi World War. This great war claimed many shinobi lives, including young shinobi who had just graduated from the academy. It was an unprecedented war that had many lasting effects.
The Five Great Nations enjoyed a somewhat peaceful time, but that was shattered near the end of Shippuden with the beginning of the Fourth Shinobi World War. Though Konoha came out of the ninja wars better than some countries, the wars changed the Five Great Nations and shaped the shinobi system of the land.
10 The Warring States Period Came First
Before the formation of the Hidden Villages, the nation was divided into smaller countries that fought endlessly for land and power. The countries often hired mercenaries, or skilled shinobi to fight their battles.
During the Warring States Period, children were forced to fight for their clans, and the average life expectancy was only thirty years old. Of the mercenary shinobi clans, two emerged as the strongest and most powerful, the Senju and the Uchiha.
9 Hashirama Senju And Madara Uchiha Ended The Warring States Period
Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju met as children during the Warring States Period. During the time, when one country hired a Senju to fight for them, the opposing country would hire the Uchiha, and vice versa.
Having lost siblings and loved ones to the constant fighting, Hashirama and Madara decided to put an end to it. They formed a pact with the Land of Fire and established the first shinobi village named Konohagakure. After their example, other villages were established and the Five Great Nations was born.
8 The Tailed Beasts Were Divided Prior To The First Shinobi World War
After the Warring States Period ended, the Five Great countries saw peace for a few years, but eventually smaller wars broke out. In an effort to quell the fighting, Hashirama Senju proposed the nations divide the tailed beasts at the first Kage Summit.
Distributing the tailed beasts among the nations in an attempt to balance the power did stop the smaller wars. Tensions only escalated, plunging the nations into the First Shinobi World War.
7 Tobirama Senju Died During The First Shinobi World War
As the First Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, Hashirama strived to achieve peace among all the Great Nations. Hashirama died before his vision came to fruition and appointed his brother Tobirama as the next Hokage.
Although Tobirama tried to rule and achieve peace like his brother, the fighting did not cease and The First Shinobi World War began. During the war, Tobirama sacrificed himself to save his subordinates. Before his death, he appointed Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Third Hokage.
6 The First Shinobi World War Left The Countries Severely Damaged
The Five Great Nations signed an armistice to end the First Shinobi World War that brought about twenty years of peace. Despite the era of peace, the Nations suffered the aftermath of the war.
While some countries were able to recover their economies, others were left in shambles. The disparity between the Nations grew and eventually led to fighting to expand territories. The fighting escalated to what become known as the Second Shinobi World War.
5 The Legendary Sannin Emerged From The Second Shinobi World War
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were students of Hiruzen Sarutobi and a 3-man team during their time as genin. Despite their sometimes tumultuous relationship, the three achieved great things together and continued to do so after their team disbanded.
During the Second Shinobi World War, the three rose to fame after being the only Konoha shinobi to survive an attack from Hanzo of the Salamander. Hanzo gave them the nickname of Sannin after their run-in.
4 Rin Nohara Was Made Into The Three-Tails Jinchuriki During The Third Shinobi World War
The Third Shinobi World War was mainly a battle between Konohagakure and Iwagakure over the border of the Land of Fire. During the war, Rin Nohara was taken by Kirigakure and made into the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.
Rather than returning to her village and causing destruction with the Three-Tails, Rin sacrificed herself to save her village. Obito witnessed her death at the hands of Kakashi, which sent him down the dark path of plotting to destroy Konoha in the future.
3 Tobi Declared War At the Five Kage Summit
Preceding the Fourth Great Shinobi World War, the Akatsuki began gathering the tailed-beasts to revive the Ten-Tails and bring Tobi’s Eye of the Moon plan to fruition. The Kage gathered at the Summit to discuss how to deal with the Akatsuki.
During the Summit, Tobi stepped in and demanded that the Eight- and Nine-Tails be surrendered to him. When the Kage refused, Tobi declared the beginning of the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
2 The Allied Shinobi Forces Were Formed To Protect The Eight- And Nine-Tails
The Allied Shinobi Forces consists of the shinobi of The Five Great Nations, united as one military to fight against the Akatsuki. Although taking down the Akatsuki was one of their objectives, it was not their primary purpose.
The coalition’s main goal was to keep the Eight- and Nine-Tails from falling into the hands of the Akatsuki. In order to do this, they needed to keep the Eight- and Nine-Tails away from the battlefield, someplace safe where the Akatsuki could not find them.
1 Sasuke Tried To Kill The Tailed Beasts And The Kage
When Hagoromo granted his power to Naruto and Sasuke, he told them they could end Infinite Tsukuyomi by joining hands. Before this happened, however, Sasuke decideed to imprison the tailed beasts and announced his plans to kill them and the Kage.
Sasuke believed that in order to protect the village and prevent war, he must destroy everything and rebuild it. He and Naruto battled at the Valley of the End, where Sasuke was ultimately defeated.
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