* After Leaf's Danzo double crossed Hanzo to make sure the war continues, Hanzo turns to face Akatsuki. Faced with imminent danger to his comrades, Nagato is forced to let his Rinnegan go balistic to protect the only family he knows, Yahiko and Konan. After an epic battle with Hanzo, Akatsuki will never be the same. The title of this Naruto episode is “The New Akatsuki”. Watch Naruto Shippuden episode 348 with us right here on TailedFox. Keep a look out for our review of this episode and pop in our Naruto forum for discussions and predictions.Akatsuki’s willingness to fight and lay down lives started to wear out. Yahiko wanted to step down as a leader and he asked Nagato to replace him. Yahiko can’t stop thinking about that day when he was forced to kill an enemy in self-defence. Nagato’s Rinnegan may become the new hero sign for people to follow.
A message arrived via courier. Akatsuki received an official approval from Hanzo to carry on as peace force without violence. Their duty would be to facilitate peace negotiations between three villages surrounding Hidden Rain. Yahiko was to visit Hanzo in person to confirm. This is great news for Akatsuki, and members celebrated that night as they remembered the dead and all they had to endure to get to that point.When the night fell and all fell asleep, Obito appeared to press Nagato again about leaving Yahiko and joining Obito’s his Tsuki no Me Project. When Nagato started yelling about loyalty and his beliefs to Yahiko, Obito dematerialised and walked right through him.
At Hanzo’s headquarters Leaf’s Danzo assured Hanzo, that Akatsuki hadn’t suspected a thing and that when Yahiko dies, Akatsuki would surely dissipate. Danzo’s Ops snatched Konan from the her Seventh Ward’s patrol to keep her as hostage.A message from Leaf’s border came in with warning that Hanzo is also expecting ANBU’s Black Ops to arrive the same day. Kyusuke quickly gathered his men and ran to catch up to Yahiko and Nagato, who were already on their way to a meeting with Hanzo. In the forest however, they get stopped by Obito and his two-colour Zetsu. Obito, claiming to be Madara, explained that Nagato needs to experience pain and recognise the reality he lives in.
Kyusuke attacked, Zetsu produced a dozen white Zetsu helpers and fight broke out. Kyusuke went straight for Obito, but when he slipped right through him, he found himself pierced with Obito’s bokken. Seeing that Kyusuke was dying, Daibutsu produced a Water Prison Jutsu sphere, which landed over his friends and Obito. Kyusuke then through cement over both of them, but Obito just changed dimensions as Kyusuke found himself dying alone. Obito then mercilessly killed the rest of the group, before heading out to see Nagato and Yahiko facing the entire Rain’s and Leaf’s army.
Hanzo stood next to Konan and threaten to kill her if Nagato didn’t kill Yahiko. Nagato slowly picked up a kunai. Knowing that Nagato could not do it, Yahiko threw himself on Nagato. Blood started gushing through Yahiko’s mouth and in his last words he said, “Konan and you must survive. You are the saviour of this world.”
Unsatisfied, Hanzo ordered to kill both Konan and Nagato, but Nagato was quick to deflect the kunai attack and jumped to save Konan. Hanzo sent Fire Style Jutsu to trap Nagato, but this wasn’t successful.
Nagato signed Summoning Jutsu Gedo Statue, which went on a crazy killing spree. Obito was impressed with the Ten Tail’s husk - Gedo Statue and its overwhelming power. Just in time to escape, Hanzo used Teleportation Jutsu to flee the battlefield.
Obito was impressed with power of activated Rinnegan and he promised himself he would preserve Yahiko’s soul for the next world. Konan is reunited with Nagato, who after all these setbacks and Yahiko’s death, is ready to submit to Madara’s idea of new world where desire for peace doesn’t cause war and hatred is not present to protect love.
Reborn and equipped with Rinnegan eyes, Yahiko rejoins Nagato and Konan. Young Guy and Kakashi witness inauguration of Minato, the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village. Kakashi promises to himself to do what it takes to prevent more victims like, Rin and Obito. The title of next Naruto episode is “A Mask That Hides the Heart”. Watch Naruto Shippuden 349 with us right here this Thursday February 6th.