The Burden of Being a Kage

With Kabuto trapped by Izanami, Sasuke raises the fear that reversing the Impure World Reincarnation would erase Itachi too. Itachi answers that he holds no lingering ties to the living world and takes pride in having shielded Konohagakure one more time. That reasoning infuriates Sasuke, who declares he might forgive his brother yet will never absolve the village for its actions. Itachi replies that changing Sasuke is not his role, since he has left that task to Naruto Uzumaki, then lifts the membrane over Kabuto's eyes and uses genjutsu to compel him to reveal the hand seals that will end the reincarnation technique.

Far from that exchange, the five Kage strain against twenty-five wood clones of Madara, each armored in Susanoo. Onoki urges his fellow leaders onward, unwilling to fail the charge placed on him, while Madara identifies Onoki's resolve as the one he most needs to shatter. Tsunade channels chakra into Onoki, empowering a sweeping Dust Release that wipes out all twenty-five clones and tears away part of the true Madara in a single stroke. Mei then looses a water dragon that A supercharges with lightning, dulling Madara's reactions, and sand hidden within the attack lets Gaara pin him further, opening the way for another Dust Release aimed at sealing Madara mid-regeneration. Impressed by this display of the five Kage's combined might, Madara answers by summoning the complete form of his Susanoo, promising to show them how hopeless their resistance truly is.

Itachi commits to undoing the Impure World Reincarnation and forces Kabuto to disclose the necessary seals. He entrusts Sasuke's future to Naruto rather than trying to change him himself. The five Kage combine their techniques, with Onoki's Dust Release destroying Madara's twenty-five clones, followed by coordinated strikes from Tsunade, Mei, A, and Gaara. Madara responds by unveiling his complete Susanoo.

This installment is set during the Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax arc and appeared in Volume 62. Viz Media titled it Burden of a Kage, and it debuted in Japan on June 18, 2012.