After the fifth Hokage died at the hands of Akatsuki, the one to be named the sixth was Naruto. After this, the tension between Konohagakure and the other four countries disappeared, as they soon came to be united under common enemies Otogakure, and Akatsuki.

The power of these enemies did nothing but grow, as Akatsuki collected all but one of the Biju the Kyubi itself.

But the worst had yet to come, as Otogakure launched an assault on the four other great hidden villages, leaving each at half power at best. Orochimaru was toying with them.

The four hidden villages came to Konoha for help, and it was decided that each of the hidden villages would unite to defeat these enemies. While the Sand, the Cloud, the Mist, and the Rock launched a counter-attack on Otogakure, Konohagakure would attack Akatsuki.

The months that followed came to be known as “The Demon Ninja War.” But in the end, it was a success, the power of Otogakure fell considerably, Kabuto was killed, the Biju chakra scattered and the Akatsuki members severely wounded.

But not without a price. Each of the five Kages were killed, and many ninja fell during this war. It was then decided, that in the light of this threat, there should not be threat of fighting amongst each other. There would be one hidden village, named after the title of each of their greatest ninja Kagegakure.

However, Akatsuki, being so severely wounded, had no choice but to take refuge in Otogakure, and Orochimaru accepted them, for the same reason. It was then that Orochimaru re-joined Akatsuki in order to pool their little remaining strength…and grow strong once again…