The Five Kage's Decision

The Five Kage's decision finalizes the war's command structure and the fateful choice to keep Naruto in the dark about the conflict. The episode is the leadership's hard calculus — protect the jinchuriki by deceiving them, route Naruto to a hidden island, bear the weight of decisions that will cost lives. Gaara's command, the Raikage's resolve, the alliance's strategy crystallize. It's the canon arc's pivot, the Kage's choices setting Naruto's path toward the island where he'll master the fox, the war beginning without him.