Introduction
[Thanks to my good friend keroberrycola for the banner image!]
Naruto is a popular manga and anime series that began in 1999 and ended in 2015, though now the sequel series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations is in full swing, so maybe we’ll never escape from Ninja World. It is one of the biggest anime/manga franchises ever and has had a huge part in popularization anime and manga in the West. The last time I LPed one of these games, we were somewhere near the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax arc, around episode 340 or so. The ending of Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 was a bit messy timeline-wise but this is a decent estimation.
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is, like the other games in the series, an open-world fighting game by CyberConnect2. Its interactive anime gameplay still holds strong, with a bigger emphasis on bigger battle moments from the anime and manga being recreated, though there’s no longer any world navigation in the story mode proper. The 3D fighting game system has been enhanced by the new console generation, now boasting an almost completely smooth 30fps. The combat is more fluid than ever, and it also has several non-standard gameplay styles throughout its story mode, recreating different portions of the anime without sticking so close to the previous game’s formula.
This game directly follows the events of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 and encompasses the final two arcs of the story, which is about 140 episodes and about 56 hours of television, though a surprising amount of that is filler, with this game clocking in around 8-9 hours of story content. It’s the end of the story, so buckle up and let’s finish this once and for all!
For this last ride, I, ChorpSaway, as before, will be heading this LP, and my surprisingly willing friends TheJayOfSpade, FutureFriend, and Taoc have forgotten how much they hated the last Naruto LP, so they’ll be joining me as co-commentators. I am absolutely sure none of them are aware of exactly what happens at the end of Naruto so I eagerly anticipate their blind reactions to the rushed end of one of the most important shonen stories of our time.
As before, this is a video LP, with cut and uncut options for commentary over cutscenes. The story to gameplay ratio still skews heavier on the story, especially here at the end, so only pick uncut if you wish you had more bad jokes in your life.
I will be completing the story mode as well as the DLC campaign Road to Boruto, to put a cap on my Naruto LP life. With each update, I will be reposting entries and adding to the glossary and cast listing that I started in the previous LPs, to make sure everyone’s up to date with the final status of Naruto and friends.
Like the last two threads, I’d like to keep the thread fairly civil and moderate. I’m all too aware of the public opinion of Naruto, so I don’t need posts like that cluttering up what’s already going to be a mess of an anime video game LP thread. We can be constructive about how bad the end of Naruto is, and how it maybe could have been better if Kishimoto wasn’t pressured to end it more quickly, but let’s not start fights over who doesn’t care about Naruto despite having consumed it all the most. Let’s have fun.
Also, please don’t post spoilers for anything we haven’t seen in the game or any events that take place after the game. We’re going to have to be filling in enough blanks as is, let’s not deal with spoilers for the end of this very well-crafted story. Once the main story is over, then we can talk about Naruto’s wedding or whatever other expanded material you want to bring up.
Oh, and I don’t want to see a single “Bort” or “Nart” in the thread.
Chapter 1: Creation
Chapter 2: Two Unparalleled Warriors
Chapter 2: The United Front
Chapter 3: The Final Showdown
Chapter 4: New Life
Boruto's Tale
HEROES
Harashima Senju
Co-founder of the Hidden Leaf Village and the first Hokage. He was known as the God of Shinobi for his ninja prowess. Along with Madara Uchiha, he founded the first ninja village in an attempt to bring peace to the world. However, due to creative differences the two ended up as rivals, fighting constantly over their ideals until Madara Uchiha’s death.
Naruto Uzumaki
A member of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Ninja Team 7 and the titular character. Last time, he finally made peace with his inner demons and was able to defeat the other eight Tailed Beasts. But now, he faces off against the greatest beast of all: man. Or specifically, like two men.
Kakashi Hatake
The leader of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Ninja Team 7 and former Anbu member. As one of the few ninja who can keep up with Naruto and Madara, Kakashi stands as a powerful ally in the final battle. Thank goodness for his Sharingan. As a child, he loved following the rules, ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of a mission.
Might Guy
The leader of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Team Guy. Though he’s still incapable of using ninjutsu, he’s still the best damn puncher and kicker in the army, making him a valuable asset when it comes to fighting against Madara. His undying optimism is a breath of fresh air against the overwhelming dread of this final battle.
Minato Namikaze
Naruto’s father and the Fourth Hokage. Before he was the Hokage, Minato was the head of a young ninja team consisting of Kakashi, Obito and Rin. Although they were quick to fight, Minato always tried to keep his team working together for the greater good. However, he couldn’t always be there for them, since he was also saddled with helping the war effort during his time as a teacher.
Rin Nohara
One of the members of Team Minato. Rin was friends with Obito well before their teaming up, and often acted as a mediator between the constantly fighting Obito and Kakashi. She was very intelligent and well-versed in medical ninjutsu, as well as anti-interrogation tactics. Deceased.
Killer Bee
Yo yo yo, Killer Bee doesn't need an introduction, fool ya fool! The vessel for the Eight-Tails, Killer Bee is an expert swordsman with a penchant for rapping. He may not be interested in his role as a jinchuriki, but he's a reliable ally when push comes to shove.
The Eight-Tails
A demon currently residing in Killer Bee. Although they work together well, the Eight-Tails can't stand Killer Bee's rap music and constantly pushes him to take his job more seriously. Still, they can't deny Bee's incredible fighting prowess, and will always help when necessary.
The Nine-Tails
A demon currently residing in Naruto. While they made have had their problems with Naruto before, his undying optimism and penchant for seeing the best in all people held turn the Nine-Tails into a valuable ally and friend. Finally, the two can work as one.
Hinata Hyuga
A member of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Team Kurenai. Hinata may not be the most relevant character, but her confidence in Naruto can always help him get back up and keep fighting. Her family has probably the coolest magic eye power, the Byakugan, but unfortunately the Sharingan outclasses it so we don't get to see it in action much anymore.
Neji Hyuga
A member of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Team Guy. Probably the most well-regarded ninja of Naruto's generation, his ability to restrict an opponent's chakra flow using his Byakugan techniques is a huge asset in battle. While he may have been cold and uncaring before, he's come to understand the meaning of teamwork and sacrifice.
Sasuke Uchiha
A former member of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Ninja Team 7 and current wanted war criminal. After a chance encounter with his revived brother Itachi, Sasuke finds himself conflicted in his quest for vengeance against the system that ruined his and his brother's lives. With a little bit of help from his friends, he might just be able to uncover his brother's truth and find the conviction he needs to help save the world.
Suigetsu Hozuki
An ex-prisoner of Orochimaru and a member of Sasuke’s team, the Taka. This thirsty boy could never give up on his friend, and brings a sense of comic relief to his teammates. Just be careful around him, or you may end up in a Soak Zone.
Jugo
An ex-prisoner of Orochimaru and a member of Sasuke’s team, the Taka. Still missing some real clothes, Jugo has been hanging out with Suigetsu while waiting for Sasuke to finish his solo mission. He's still tough, buff, and ready to bash some skulls.
Kabuto Yakushi
Former member of the Hidden Leaf Village, former spy for Sasori, former underling to Orochimaru, former catalyst of the Fourth Great Ninja War, current prisoner to Sasuke. After being caught in an endless trap by Sasuke and Itachi, Kabuto finds himself working with his former allies to put an end to this end-of-the-world scenario he directly caused. Maybe his snake-like abilities can help him sneak his way back into everyone's good graces.
Orochimaru
Guess who's back! A high-ranking rogue ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village, Orochimaru once again used his sealing jutsus to hide away within someone close to him, waiting for just the right moment to revive and rejoin the fight. However, with things getting severely out of hand, it looks like he'll be working for the good guys this time. No more human experiments for this snake man!
Hiruzen Sarutobi
The Third Hokage. After dying trying to stop Orochimaru the first time, it must be awkward for Hiruzen to be revived by him. Still, the Allied Ninja Forces are going to need all the help they can get to face off against Madara, so why not call upon him once again.
Tobirama Senju
The Second Hokage and brother to Hashirama Senju. Tobirama was integral in the development of the Hidden Leaf Village, creating institutions such as the academy as well as the special forces group Anbu. He also developed the Shadow Clone and Reincarnation techniques, inadvertently planting the seeds for both sides of the Fourth Great Ninja War. He shares a deep sense of family with the village and believes in pragmatism.
Karin
An ex-jailer of Orochimaru and a member of Sasuke’s team, the Taka. Although he stabbed her through the chest with a laser in the last game, it seems Karin just can't quit Sasuke. Although she doesn't provide a ton of support outside of medical necessities to the Taka, you can't have a team of just three.
Sakura Haruno
A member of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Ninja Team 7. Even as she's cast further and further into the wayside for Naruto and Sasuke's fight, Sakura still finds the time to do some important things in the final battle. Her medical ninjutsu, physical prowess, and affinity for slugs will all come in handy as the world faces off against Madara. I just hope she isn't too conflicted when it comes to Sasuke...
Rock Lee
A member of the Hidden Leaf Village’s Team Guy. The only one carrying on Might Guy's signature look and fighting style, Rock Lee has a lot to live up to. While he may not be able to use traditional jutsu like the rest of his peers, his physical ability is unmatched, and his unending optimism helps him when the going gets tough.
VILLAINS
Madara Uchiha
Co-founder of the Hidden Leaf Village. Along with Harashima Senju, he founded the first ninja village in an attempt to bring peace to the world. However, due to the discovery of an ancient tablet noting the cyclical history of ninja war, Madara eventually abandoned the village. In an attempt to reset history, he captured the Nine-Tailed Fox and attacked the village constantly until he met his untimely demise.
Obito Uchiha
The arbiter of the Fourth Great Ninja War, and a former member of Team Minato. As a child, Obito had a powerful sense of justice, ready to sacrifice anything for the sake of his comrades. He lived a similar life to Naruto, without parents and desperately hoping to be acknowledged by the village. So what happened to him to turn him evil and take on the name of Madara Uchiha?
Mahiru
A ninja from the Hidden Stone Village. During the Third Great Ninja War, while on surveillance, Mahiru stumbled upon Team Minato from the Hidden Leaf Village, and launched a sneak attack against them using shadow clones. Big mistake.
Taiseki
A ninja from the Hidden Stone Village. During the Third Great Ninja War, he captured Rin of the Hidden Leaf Village and took them prisoner. Eventually, he would also face off against her teammates, Kakashi and Obito. Taiseki was able to use a camouflage ninjutsu that erased his scent and shadow, as well as changed how light reflects off his body to turn completely invisible.
Kakkou
A ninja from the Hidden Stone Village. During the Third Great Ninja War, he interrogated Rin of the Hidden Leaf Village using genjutsu. Eventually, he would also face off against her teammates, Kakashi and Obito. Kakkou used retractable arm blades to fight, making him the first Assassin.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
The former matriarch of a clan of dimensional travelers, and the first wielder of chakra on Earth. Kaguya originally was meant to gather chakra from the fruit of the Earth's God Tree for her clan, but she was saddened by humanity's never-ending wars and ate the fruit, granting her amazing powers and allowing her to rule over humanity and create peace. Eventually, she became fearful of her clan coming to retrieve her chakra, and so she raised an army to fight back, causing war to exist once again. She would later turn on her sons as well, in a desire to reclaim all chakra and be the only one with power on Earth. To protect humanity, her children sealed her away inside the moon, hoping that her power would never be revived.
Black Zetsu
The personified will of Kaguya Otsutsuki. Being created out of Kaguya's will, Black Zetsu has acted as the arbiter of all history on Earth after Kaguya's capture in order to lead to her revival. Predominantly, he has done this by pushing the family line would eventually become the Uchiha clan to awaken the Rinnegan and break the seal on the moon.
Hokage
The leader of the Hidden Leaf Village. There have been five Hokages in the history of the Hidden Leaf Village, with Tsunade acting as the fifth and current Hokage.
Ninjutsu/Jutsu
A catch-all term for any sort of ninja technique, or anything that a ninja couldn’t do naturally. This extends to the use of weapons, as they can be augmented with ninja magic.
Chakra
Both the physical and spiritual energy inherent in every living being. Can be controlled and manipulated in order to perform jutsus, but is also necessary for basic movement. They also have elemental properties, which give the user certain advantages when using jutsus of that elements.
As far as the game is concerned, it’s just a chargeable special meter.
Dojutsu
Genetic ninja abilities that utilize the user’s eyes. Only three are currently known: the Byakugan, the Rinnegan, and the Sharingan. These powers are attached to the physical eyes of the user, so implanting the eye into another person will allow them to use the same powers.
Sharingan
Considered one of the Three Great Eye Techniques and a technique unique to the Uchiha clan. Able to be called on command, it allows the user to see another person’s chakra flow. It also allows the user to copy any technique that they see with the Sharingan and perform it with nigh-perfect accuracy, as long as they have the prerequisite skill or ability to perform them.
Kakashi also has one that he keeps hidden by his headband, except in situations where he thinks it’s necessary, since he is unable to turn it off.
Genin
The lowest level of ninja, given as a title to all ninja school graduates. They are put into 4 man squads with 3 genin and a teacher, and can only take on low-ranking missions until they have proven significant development during the Chunin exams.
Chunin
The middle level of ninja, given as a title to all who pass the Chunin exams. They no longer require a teacher, and can take higher-ranking missions. They also all get a cool jacket to wear and can either continue ninja training or become teachers for the younger ninja.
Jonin
The highest level of ninja, given as a title to all who the village leaders deem worthy. These ninjas all show high proficiency for multiple types of ninja techniques and are no longer required to work in a group. They also must become teachers to a group of Genin, to act as mentors and help the young ninja find their potential.
Kazekage
The leader of the Hidden Sand Village. There have been five Kazekages in the history of the Hidden Sand Village, with Gaara acting as the fifth and current Hokage. Gaara’s father was the fourth Hokage.
Akatsuki
A criminal organization of high-ranking rouge ninja. Their main mission is to capture the Tailed Beasts in order to harness their power and start and all-out war with Ninja World. Members of the Akatsuki almost always work in groups of two, in order to have complementary powers.
Taijutsu
A catch-all term for any technique based around martial arts or the optimization of natural human abilities. These techniques do not require chakra use or hand seals, and are entirely based on the user’s physical and mental abilities. Every member of Team Guy uses taijutsu almost exclusively.
Bukijutsu
A catch-all term for any technique based around the use of weapons. Like taijutsu, these techniques do not require chakra use or hand seals, but every weapon requires its own level of mastery. Tenten is the series’ main user of bukijutsu, having mastered the use of every type of weapon.
Chakra Gates
A series of eight “gates” within a person’s body that limits chakra flow. By removing these gates, a person can gain increased strength and physical ability, at the cost of serious internal bodily damage. If all eight gates are released, the user will reach their maximum physical limit, but will absolutely die. The only three characters known to have opened chakra gates are Kakashi, Rock Lee, and Might Guy.
Byakugan
Considered one of the Three Great Eye Techniques and a technique unique to the Hyuga clan. Unlike the other dojutsu, everyone in the Hyuga family can use this technique from birth, and does not require any sort of awakening. When activated, the Byakugan gives the user a near-360 degree field of vision, as well as increasing their field of vision greatly, with the most powerful user increasing it to 10km. It also allows the user to see through walls, smokescreens, and illusions. Finally, the user can see chakra flows, whether it be in seals, in nature, or even in people.
Jinchuriki
The term used to refer to the vessels of the Tailed Beasts. They tend to be ostracized from their community, due to many people seeing them as just new forms for the much-hated Tailed Beasts. Each Jinchuriki shows incredible power due to the chakra of the Tailed Beasts following through them, and with enough control they can manifest their Tailed Beast either as extensions of themselves, or as a separate entity.
Tailed Beasts
A group of nine living forms of chakra. They each manifest as large monsters with a number of tails, ranging from one to nine. They have an incredible amount of power and more chakra than any person could possibly possess on their own, which they can transfer to any other entity that they wish. While each of them used to run free, they have all been sealed into humans at this point.
Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist
An organization made up of the seven strongest sword wielders in the Hidden Mist Village. Each generation, the strongest fighters for that particular generation are brought together in a battle royale to the death. The seven most powerful members that emerge victorious are given a special blade to weild, though many of the swordsmen master the use of multiple blades. Currently, only three of the current generation’s members are still alive.
Hebi
Literally meaning “snake”, the new team headed by Sasuke. Sasuke created this team with the goal of killing his brother Itachi. It ultimately is less of a team and more a group of convenience, as it was made up of ninja previously held in Orochimaru’s hideouts before his death.
Genjutsu
Ninja abilities that focus on creating illusions. Genjutsu techniques manipulate the flow of chakra in a person’s brain, causing them to feel pain, hallucinate, or otherwise disrupt the person’s senses.
Susanoo
A guardian spirit granted to those who have mastered the Sharingan. Due to its tie to the Sharingan, it is only available to those of Uchiha blood. By unleashing their Susanoo, users are able to create a large humanoid being that can fight alongside the user and protect them. However, it causes incredible strain on their body and uses up a significant amount of life energy. Each Susanoo is unique to its user and has various forms as the user learns to better control it.
Taka
Literally meaning “hawk”, the newer team headed by Sasuke. Sasuke created this team with the goal of destroying the Hidden Leaf Village. It is made up of the members of his previous team, the Hebi, and has Madara Uchiha as the background leader.
Rinnegan
Considered one of the Three Great Eye Techniques. It is unaffiliated with any clan, but is most known for being the technique of The Sage of Six Paths, one of the founding ninja. It has a lot of powers attached to it, primarily those of the Six Paths. The Deva Path allows the user to repel and attract objects, the Asura Path grants the user armor and the use of mechanized weapons, the Human Path can read minds, the Animal Path allows the user to summon support creatures, the Preta Path can absorb chakra, and the Naraka path allows the user to summon the King of Hell to help in interrogations. There's also the secret Outer Path which gives the user limited control over life and death. There are some other smaller powers attached to it, but these are the important ones and this is already going on pretty long.
Senjutsu
Also known as Sage Jutsu. A type of ninjutsu based around absorbing energy from the surrounding atmosphere and terrain, and then combining it with one's own chakra. Currently, senjutsu can only be learned from magical frogs from Mount Myoboku or magical snakes from Ryuchi Cave.