The Fourth Shinobi World War in Naruto: Shippuden saw all the great shinobi nations join forces for the first time, fighting against a common threat in the form of the Akatsuki, now spearheaded by Obito. Even with the five major shinobi nations united, it proved to be heavily slanted in the Akatsuki's favor, thanks to the help of Kabuto Yakushi and his newfound mastery of the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation technique. This technique allowed Kabuto to revive the most powerful figures in the Naruto series, many of whom came back at the peak of their abilities or with newly granted boons like Sharingan and Rinnegan implants.

That said, while the revived shinobi defer to Kabuto or Obito's orders, they can speak under their own will and carry out their orders without direct control. Some of the revived shinobi even managed to break free of their shackles to aid the Shinobi Alliance in battle.