Stop Nagato!!

As Nagato reaches for Naruto's soul, the young shinobi grasps that every one of the Pain bodies' abilities now sits inside this single frame. Naruto questions how the powers function, only to realize Nagato is under total outside control. A Rasengan aimed at him is simply drained away, and when B rushes in, Nagato foresees it and seizes him. On the verge of ripping out Naruto's soul and finishing B, Itachi intervenes with his still-imperfect Susanoo. Kabuto, remembering another target he needs, has Nagato deploy Chibaku Tensei against all three. Naruto recognizes the move and warns his companions, while Itachi deduces its flaw and calls for their most powerful long-range strikes. With the sphere shattered, Itachi runs Nagato through with the Sword of Totsuka, snapping him back to awareness.

While being sealed, Nagato is told by Itachi to speak now if anything remains unsaid. He tells Naruto that he forms the third piece of a legacy, following the flawless tale of Jiraiya and his own, which he calls a failure. His parting wish is for Naruto to craft a perfect story so the world would forget his own bitter one.

Naruto confirms Nagato is fully controlled and cannot be reasoned with. Itachi rescues Naruto and B, then works out how to break Chibaku Tensei. He seals Nagato with the Sword of Totsuka, and a conscious Nagato passes his hopes to Naruto before fading.

The 551st chapter sits in the fifty-eighth volume during the Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation arc. Its Japanese release came on September 5, 2011.