Arc 3The Battle for the Land of Fire
Xuan Zhe led Konoha through escalating battles against Kumogakure and Kirigakure, breaking Madara’s scheme and rescuing Rin while the war devastated the Land of Fire. As Konoha’s forces converged on the Western Front, Xuan Zhe pushed to end the conflict by exploiting the clash between Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
- Xuan Zhe and Hatake Sakumo fought A and Killer B, but Killer B transformed into the Eight-Tails and forced Konoha’s forces to retreat, and Xuan Zhe exposed a White Zetsu disguised as Tsunade and rescued Rin.
- After A died from his wounds, the Third Raikage vowed revenge, while Kirigakure and Iwagakure advanced toward the Land of Fire and Hiruzen Sarutobi led Konoha reinforcements south.
- The Third Mizukage defeated Hiruzen’s force at the Land of Whirlpools, and Xuan Zhe refused to send northern troops until Kirigakure invaded the Land of Fire and the southern crisis became unavoidable.
- Xuan Zhe joined Hiruzen’s battered forces and took charge of the defense, then confronted the Third Mizukage, who trapped him in an Izanami loop while Kirigakure captured Rin.
- Xuan Zhe released Ryūjin Jakka, broke free of Izanami, killed the Third Mizukage, and defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist before rescuing Rin from Raiga Kurosuki.
- Xuan Zhe arranged for Mei Terumi to join Rin’s squad, told Rin that Obito had died, and traveled west with both girls to reunite with Tsunade, Minato Namikaze, and Jiraiya.
- After learning that Kakashi and Obito had destroyed Kannabi Bridge and that Obito had saved Kakashi, Xuan Zhe rejected Jiraiya’s invitation to take matters into his own hands.
- When Ōnoki launched Iwagakure’s assault on the Third Raikage’s force, Xuan Zhe urged Konoha to exploit the battle and end the war, as the Raikage fought off Dust Release and Earth Flow Spears.