The “5 Kage Summit” arc in Naruto: Shippuden is crucial to understanding Sasuke’s character growth and is commonly thought-about one among his most iconic moments. Sadly, this arc is brief and positioned between the Fourth Ninja Conflict and the “Ache Assault” arc, which is without doubt one of the most emotional and beloved entries within the collection.
The anime additional complicates issues by including a twenty-episode filler story proper earlier than it.
Sasuke’s character growth has at all times been intently tied to the betrayal of their clan by his brother Itachi. Itachi murdered all of the members of their clan, together with their dad and mom, however spared Sasuke. This act has haunted Sasuke and influenced lots of his actions within the collection.
The “5 Kage Summit” arc explores the aftermath of a major change in Sasuke’s notion of Itachi. Throughout this time, Sasuke struggles with altering emotions about his brother. The arc additionally expands into the world of Naruto: Shippuden, revealing new features of main characters like Sakura and Naruto as they witness Sasuke’s descent into darkness.
From Konoha’s traitor to Akatsuki’s risk and the fallout from the 5 Kage summit
Lengthy earlier than the “5 Kage Summit” arc, Sasuke left the comforting and acquainted village of Konoha to seek out his brother and avenge his household. His departure marked him as a traitor, keen to desert the village for his personal private objectives. For Naruto and Sakura, bringing Sasuke again turned a major objective.
Sasuke fashioned a bunch known as Hebi to assist him obtain his objective of discovering and defeating Itachi. After killing Itachi, he’s captured by Obito, who poses as Madara Uchiha and a member of the Akatsuki. Obito reveals Itachi’s true position as a member of Konoha’s black ops unit, Anbu, to be able to flip Sasuke towards Konoha. He manipulates the story and twists the reality to get Sasuke on his facet.
After these occasions, Sasuke adjustments the identify of his group from Hebi (which means snake) to Taka (which means eagle). Issues take a flip for the more serious when Sasuke joins the Akatsuki, a rogue group working exterior the Kage system led by Obito, with the objective of capturing all of the tailed beasts.
Obito duties Sasuke with capturing Killer B, which leads to Sasuke being labeled a global terrorist. This results in a gathering of the 5 Kage, the place the principle agenda is to seize Sasuke and give you a plan to counter the rising risk of the Akatsuki.
When Sasuke hears in regards to the summit, he decides to make use of it as a possibility for revenge, which incorporates his intense battle towards Danzo. Nonetheless, his plan is thwarted by White Zetsu, who reveals Sasuke’s presence.
This failed infiltration, mixed with Sasuke’s violent conduct in direction of his teammate Karin, causes Taka to collapse, whereas his teammates wrestle to proceed supporting him regardless of his growing recklessness and selfishness.
Naruto and Sakura’s rising doubts and Sasuke’s chilly descent
Whereas the arc focuses on Sasuke, it additionally emphasizes the event of Naruto and Sakura. Naruto’s dedication to resolving conflicts by way of communication fairly than violence has change into so well-known that it impressed the meme “Discuss No Jutsu.” However on this arc, whereas Sasuke grows colder, Naruto exhibits heat, albeit combined with stress.
Early within the arc, Naruto asks for Sasuke’s forgiveness, however the Raikage provides him a harsh actuality examine about Sasuke’s intentions, which is later bolstered by a go to from Obito. When Itachi sends a shadow clone to speak to Naruto about Sasuke, Naruto fiercely defends his pal.
Recognized for his or her unwavering optimism and religion in Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura start to waver after the incident with Killer B and the assault on the summit. Seeing them interrogate Sasuke for the primary time provides their characters extra depth, making them extra relatable.
Whereas they by no means fully lose religion in Sasuke, it provides a human contact to their characters after they see Sasuke wrestle together with his beliefs.
Consider the second when Sakura decides that she should kill Sasuke herself, however finally can’t carry herself to take action. Additionally consider the second when Sakura makes a false declaration of affection to Naruto, hoping to guard him from the hazards of pursuing Sasuke, who’s being focused by the Akatsuki. Naruto, regardless of his personal advanced emotions for her, tells Sakura that she should observe her true emotions for Sasuke.
Contemplating the chilly and calculating operation led by Konoha that had a direct affect on Sasuke, who Naruto most likely understands higher than anybody, it says quite a bit about Naruto’s ambitions that he continues to defend Konoha whereas additionally striving to enhance the place.
This example highlights each his idealism and the dedication with which he defends his beliefs. This battle between Naruto and Sasuke would proceed all through the collection.
Sasuke’s position highlights geopolitical tensions and flaws within the Kage system
Sasuke serves because the lens by way of which the 5 Kage Summit arc explores the geopolitical complexities of the Naruto world. The summit itself is the second of its type, with the primary being held a long time earlier to advertise peace between clans. This arc raises questions in regards to the effectiveness of the Kage system and the geopolitical construction of the Naruto universe.
The 5 Kage Summit arc is critical as a result of it marks the primary time that all the villages are absolutely engaged within the geopolitics of the area. Nonetheless, it’s also the primary time that viewers get a way of the huge variations between the Kage and the villages they lead. The summit highlights the shortage of efficient communication between leaders, who already had tense relations earlier than Sasuke’s unifying assault.
Later within the collection, viewers be taught in regards to the relationship between the Senju and Uchiha clans, which provides this arc extra depth. On this context, it turns into clearer why Sasuke is probably not a “villain” within the conventional sense.
Nonetheless, his assault on the summit is seen as a declaration of battle by the 5 Kage, who be part of forces to create the Allied Shinobi Forces in preparation for the approaching battle. Regardless of this, Sasuke stays branded as a villain till he speaks with the reanimated Itachi through the battle and finally returns to struggle alongside Naruto.
Deepens Naruto’s world and challenges morality and alliances
The 5 Kage Summit arc provides depth to virtually each facet of Naruto. Rewatching it after figuring out the ending solely makes it extra significant. Whereas the arc is full of thrilling battles, it additionally has many emotional moments. Principal characters like Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are proven in new methods, and even supporting characters like Sai are given extra complexity.
The 5 Kage Summit arc additionally brings complexity to each secret and authorities organizations. Locations like Konoha, as soon as seen as protected havens, now stand in a extra unsure gentle. This arc challenges the regulation, order, and morality that have been beforehand unquestioned in Naruto’s world, besides by the villains. Each character feels the load of this shift.
With out this arc, any main battle on the finish of the Shippuden period would really feel flawed. As new and surprising alliances kind in preparation for a ultimate battle towards Akatsuki—and others—the 5 Kage Summit arc quietly raises the stakes.
It forces the viewers to ponder the questions raised by the ultimate installment of Naruto: Shippuden: Who is actually a hero or a villain, and when is it value preventing to guard an imperfect world?
