172 | Naruto Shippuden Episode

Following his victory over the Six Paths of Pain, Naruto tracks down the real Nagato and Konan to their hideout. Seeking to understand the cycle of hatred that fueled the destruction of the Hidden Leaf, Naruto asks to hear Nagato's story before deciding his next move.

Nagato begins his tragic backstory, detailing his childhood in the war-torn Village Hidden in the Rain:

: In a blind rage over his parents' deaths, a young Nagato subconsciously activated his Rinnegan for the first time and killed the ninja. Naruto Shippuden Episode 172

: During the Second Shinobi World War, two Hidden Leaf ninja accidentally killed Nagato's parents, Fuso and Ise, thinking they were enemies.

: Naruto and Nagato are framed as the "Two Saviors" and "Children of Prophecy," both students of Jiraiya who took drastically different paths toward peace. Following his victory over the Six Paths of

: A brief vision by Kakashi (using his Sharingan) earlier in the arc highlights Naruto carrying on the legacy of Minato Namikaze, emphasizing the generational passing of the "Will of Fire". Production & Watch Info Meeting (episode 172) | Narutopedia | Fandom

: The three children survived by stealing food, with Yahiko declaring that they would one day rule the world to end all wars. Significant Themes : During the Second Shinobi World War, two

: Now an orphan, Nagato wandered the rain-soaked streets until he met a stray dog he named Chibi, and later, two other orphans named Konan and Yahiko.