Arc 12Akatsuki’s Growing Threat
Tobitake Tonbo protected Konoha while Akatsuki pursued the Tailed Beasts, Sasuke rejected Naruto’s plea to return, and Orochimaru proposed a partnership over a looming threat to the world. The arc left Tonbo leading Konoha ninja against Kakuzu and Hidan, whose battle continued after Tonbo’s Genjutsu thwarted Hidan’s ritual.
- Sakura helped Kakashi’s team rescue Gaara, while Tobitake Tonbo investigated Akatsuki and fought Sasori as Jin.
- Sakura and Chiyo defeated Sasori after Tonbo’s clone unleashed a powerful lightning attack, and the Konoha team returned home with Kakashi badly injured.
- Naruto transformed into the Four-Tails during the Tenchi Bridge mission, but Yamato ended the transformation after Sakura struck Naruto down.
- Tenyu and Maki repelled the masked man and Black Zetsu, while Tonbo reached them through Sage Art: Transfer and checked on their injuries.
- Sasuke rejected Naruto’s plea to return and nearly struck him, but Tonbo blocked Sasuke’s attack and let him leave with Orochimaru and Kabuto.
- Orochimaru told Tonbo about a prophecy of an enemy threatening the world and proposed working together, but Tonbo refused and returned Naruto and the others to Konoha.
- Danzo tried to recruit Tonbo’s son Keigo into Root, but Tonbo defeated Torune and Fū and warned Danzo to leave his family alone.
- After Akatsuki killed Chiriku, Tonbo led three Konoha ninja against Kakuzu and Hidan, using Genjutsu to foil Hidan’s ritual before Kakuzu and Hidan countered their attackers.