Naruto Shippuden · Countdown (cont.)

On the secret island, Killer Bee agrees to train Naruto. At the Waterfall of Truth, he beats his own dark side and then takes on the Nine-Tailed Fox. Mid-fight, Kushina's chakra appears; she introduces herself as his mother, tells how she met Minato and reveals the masked man attacked on the night Naruto was born, forcing Minato to seal the fox inside his son and die. Meanwhile, Kisame tries to pass on intel, is beaten by Guy and lets his own sharks devour him. Konan takes on Tobi with 600 billion paper bombs but falls to Izanagi. Kabuto captures Yamato and reveals an army of 100,000 White Zetsu. The Alliance splits into five divisions, and the Fourth Shinobi World War begins.

1. ReferenceKing Kong on the island

   In ep. 243, Naruto lands on the turtle island where King, a giant gorilla, lives. The wild island and the huge ape are a nod to King Kong and Skull Island.

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2. SetupThe masked man of that night

   In eps. 247 to 249, the show finally depicts the night the Fox attacked the Leaf. Minato fights a masked man controlling the beast. Who was behind the mask is saved for later.

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3. Behind the scenesKisame chooses the sharks

   Captured by Guy, Kisame refuses to give up what he knows and lets his own sharks devour him. It's one of the few villain deaths the series handles with respect.

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