Naruto season 3

The third season of the Naruto anime television series, labelled as the "3rd Stage" in the Japanese DVD release, is directed by Hayato Date, and produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo. Based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga series, the season follows Sasuke Uchiha leaving the Hidden Leaf Village, with the hopes of gaining more power by joining up with Orochimaru while Naruto Uzumaki and his friends chases him to bring back to the village. The season aired from September 15, 2004 to June 29, 2005 on TV Tokyo.

Naruto
Season 3
The first Japanese DVD volume cover of the third season
No. of episodes	48
Release
Original network	TV Tokyo
Original release	May 19, 2004 (2004-05-19) – April 20, 2005 (2005-04-20)
Season chronology

The English dub aired on both Cartoon Network's Toonami and YTV's Bionix programming blocks from August 25, 2007 to February 16, 2008.

Sony Pictures Entertainment collected the episodes in a total of twelve DVD volumes, each containing four episodes, between January 1 and December 7, 2005. The English adaptation of these dub was released between twenty-first and thirty-second DVD volumes released by Viz Media, while various compilations were later released.

The Japanese version of this season features eight theme musics: three openings and five endings. The openings are "Go!!!" by Flow, used for episodes 84 to 103, Sambomaster's "Seishun Kyōsōkyoku" (青春狂騒曲, lit. Youth's Rhapsody), used for episodes 104 to 128, and "No Boy No Cry" (ノーボーイ·ノークライ, Nō Bōi Nō Kurai) by Stance Punks, from episodes 129 to 131. The endings are "Ima Made Nando Mo" (今まで何度も, lit. Many Times Before) by The Mass Missile (used for episodes 84 to 89), "Ryūsei" (流星, lit. Meteor) by TiA (used for episodes 90 to 103), "Mountain A Go Go 2" (マウンテン·ア·ゴーゴー·ツー, Maunten A Gō Gō Tsū) by Captain Straydum (used for episodes 104 to 115), "Hajimete Kimi to Shabetta" (はじめて君としゃべった, lit. The First Time I Spoke With You) by GaGaGa SP (used for episodes 116 to 128), and "Nakushita Kotoba" (失くした言葉, lit. Lost Words) by No Regret Life (used for episodes 129 to 131). The English version uses opening "Go!!!" by Flow, for episodes 84 to 104 and uses Sambomaster's "Seishun Kyōsōkyoku" (青春狂騒曲, lit. Youth's Rhapsody), for episodes 105 to 128. It replaces the endings with an instrumental version of "Rise" by Jeremy Sweet and Ian Nickus.

Episodes

See also: List of Naruto episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date	English air date
84	1	"Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!" Transliteration: "Unare Chidori, Hoero Sasuke!" (Japanese: 唸れ千鳥 吠えろサスケ!)	May 19, 2004 (2004-05-19)	April 21, 2007
In a flashback, Sasuke Uchiha reminisces the night his entire clan was killed and how he came home to find his parents dead and Itachi standing over them. Confronting his brother, Sasuke is subject to Itachi's Tsukuyomi, who shows him how he killed the clan, causing Sasuke to collapse from the experience. Back in present time, as Kisame and Itachi contemplate how best to carry Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke arrives and attacks Itachi with his Chidori. Uninterested in their quarrel, Itachi effortlessly stops the attack. Naruto attempts to summon a toad, but Kisame absorbs his chakra to prevent him from doing so. Jiraiya arrives to block the attack.
85	2	"Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan!" Transliteration: "Orokanaru otōto yo urame, nikume!" (Japanese: 愚かなる弟よ 恨め, 憎め!)	May 26, 2004 (2004-05-26)	April 28, 2007
Although Jiraiya prepares to fight the two Akatsuki members, Sasuke proclaims that he will kill Itachi. Itachi brutally beats and berates his brother, even using Tsukuyomi. Sasuke falls unconscious, and Jiraiya uses the ensuing chaos to prepare a powerful technique, forcing the Akatsuki team to flee. Might Guy arrives and takes Sasuke back to Konoha. Before he leaves, he asks Naruto and Jiraiya to find Tsunade, hoping that she will heal Lee. They reassure him, and Naruto and Jiraiya set out to resume their search.
86	3	"A New Training Begins: I Will Be Strong!" Transliteration: "Shugyō kaishi, Ore wa zettē tsuyoku naru!" (Japanese: 修行開始 オレはぜってー強くなる!)	June 2, 2004 (2004-06-02)	May 5, 2007
Jiraiya tells Naruto about Tsunade and how she is known by the nickname Legendary Loser because she is poor in gambling. At the same time, Tsunade decides to partake in gambling at Machijūtoba, a casino where the big bets are made. Tsunade spends the money, exciting the head gambler as he is aware of her reputation. Naruto enjoys a day out on the town while Jiraiya does some investigating into Tsunade's whereabouts. When Jiraiya ends up using his time - and Naruto's money - to enjoy sake and women, he starts teaching Naruto the Rasengan after a conflict with ex-Chunnin Ninjas. To begin learning the technique, Naruto must pop a water-filled balloon held in the palm of his hand by spinning the water with his chakra, something he starts with great enthusiasm.
87	4	"Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon!" Transliteration: "Konjō!!! Warero mizufūsen" (Japanese: 根性!!!割れろ水風船)	June 9, 2004 (2004-06-09)	May 12, 2007
Soon after his training begins, Naruto finds himself unable to make any progress. After asking Jiraiya for tips, Naruto decides he will master the jutsu in three days. Jiraiya doubts the likelihood that Naruto will live up this promise, explaining that the Rasengan was developed by the Fourth Hokage in a duration of three years. He then goes on to explain that popping the balloon is only one of three steps, and leaves Naruto to resume his training. Naruto soon discovers that popping the balloon is easier if he uses both of his hands after observing a cat, and progresses to the second step.
88	5	"Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf" Transliteration: "Konoha māku to hitaiate" (Japanese: 木ノ葉マークと額当て)	June 16, 2004 (2004-06-16)	May 19, 2007
The second step involves Naruto popping a rubber ball, something that will require much more power. After Naruto struggles with this step, Jiraiya helps him by drawing a leaf on his palm to give him a point to concentrate his efforts on. With some additional practice, Naruto manages to complete this stage as well. Elsewhere, Tsunade Senju, an avid and extremely unlucky gambler, hits a winning streak, leading her to believe something bad is about to happen. She is correct, as when she tries to leave the city, she is met by Orochimaru and Kabuto.
89	6	"An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade's Heart" Transliteration: "Hamon" (Japanese: 波紋)	June 23, 2004 (2004-06-23)	May 26, 2007
Naruto is tasked with combining the spinning and the power developed in the previous steps, something that Jiraiya cannot help him with. As he attempts to do both, a frail and sickly Orochimaru asks Tsunade to heal his soulless decayed arms as the effects of the Reaper Death Seal inflicted on him are causing him excruciating pain. Although she has no intentions of helping Orochimaru due to his killing their teacher, Tsunade decides to consider the matter when he offers to revive her dead brother, Nawaki, and lover, Dan.
90	7	"Unforgivable! A Total Lack of Respect!" Transliteration: "Ikari bakuhatsu! Yurusanēttebayo" (Japanese: 怒りバクハツ!許さねーってばよ)	July 7, 2004 (2004-07-07)	June 9, 2007
Orochimaru gives Tsunade a week to think about it, and he leaves. While Tsunade has dinner that night, Jiraiya and Naruto arrive at the same bar. Suspicious of Jiraiya's reason for looking for her, Tsunade asks what he wants, to which he replies that Konoha wants her to be the new Hokage. She rejects the offer, saying anyone who would willingly take the title is a fool. Enraged that she would disrespect the title of Hokage and those who have held its position, Naruto challenges Tsunade to a battle. The two step outside, but Tsunade quickly proves to be far out of Naruto's league. Refusing to give up, Naruto readies his imperfect Rasengan for an attack.
91	8	"Inheritance! The Necklace of Death!" Transliteration: "Shodai Hokage no isan Shi o yobu kubikazari" (Japanese: 初代火影の遺産 死を呼ぶ首飾り)	July 14, 2004 (2004-07-14)	June 16, 2007
Recognizing the danger the attack imposes, Tsunade forces it into the ground, where the minor damage it inflicts indicates that it is not yet complete. Despite this, Tsunade offers Naruto a proposition: if he can master the technique in one week, she will give him her necklace, something worth an immense amount of money. If he cannot, she gets all the money in his wallet. Naruto agrees to the bet, and leaves to start training. Tsunade meets Jiraiya for drinks, where he tells her that he is aware Orochimaru has offered her something. Jiraiya makes it clear that he will kill her if she helps Orochimaru. Meanwhile, Naruto continues to train to master the perfect Rasengan, intent on winning the bet with Tsunade.
92	9	"A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!" Transliteration: "YES ka NO ka! Tsunade no kaitō" (Japanese: YESかNOか!ツナデの回答)	July 21, 2004 (2004-07-21)	June 23, 2007
As the week goes by, Naruto continues his training, though he is unable to properly mix spinning and power and has varying results. Tsunade watches Naruto's progress from the background, noting how similar he is to both Nawaki and Dan. Once a week goes by, Naruto appears to have been unsuccessful in mastering the Rasengan and lays unconscious with fatigue. Jiraiya, still uncertain about the situation with Orochimaru & Tsunade, decides to take her out for drinks and reminds her about the bet with Naruto. While they are out together, Tsunade drugs his drink, putting him to sleep. The next morning, Tsunade meets with Orochimaru as promised, and prepares to heal his arms. Before she can do so, she is stopped by Kabuto.
93	10	"Breakdown! The Deal is Off!" Transliteration: "Kōshō Ketsuretsu!" (Japanese: 交渉決裂!!)	July 28, 2004 (2004-07-28)	June 30, 2007
Having recognized that Tsunade's healing jutsu was filled with killing intent, Kabuto realized that she had no intention of helping Orochimaru. With Tsunade being the only person who can heal Orochimaru, Kabuto decides to force her to help as they begin to fight. Although Tsunade has far more battle experience than Kabuto, he is able to hold his own against her, even managing to land a few debilitating attacks. As Kabuto prepares to put Tsunade out of commission, Naruto, Jiraiya, and Tsunade's assistant, Shizune, arrive to help. Uninterested in their assistance, Tsunade tries to resume her battle with Kabuto until he learns of her Hemophobia and uses it against her. As she is taken aside to recover, Naruto and Shizune both launch attacks at Kabuto, which he defeats. Finally, Jiraiya states that he and Shizune must team up to take on Orochimaru and Kabuto, respectively.
94	11	"Attack! Fury of the Rasengan!" Transliteration: "Kurae! Ikari no Rasengan" (Japanese: くらえ!怒りの螺旋丸)	August 4, 2004 (2004-08-04)	July 7, 2007
With Tsunade out of commission due to her paralyzing fear of blood, Jiraiya takes on the challenge of defeating Orochimaru. Kabuto continues to insult Tsunade, which angers Naruto and gives him the strength to fight Kabuto and protect Tsunade. However, Naruto is no match for Kabuto, who picks on Naruto and brings back Tsunade's memories of Nawaki, Dan, and the bet made between her and Naruto. Naruto, in the heat of battle, on the spot creates a unique method using a shadow clone to help divide the roles of rotating the chakra and is able to pull together all the strength he has left to make one final attack with his right hand, creating a shadow clone and pulling off a complete Rasengan. Having defeated Kabuto, Naruto passes out after mastering the new jutsu.
95	12	"The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!" Transliteration: "Godaime Hokage, Inochi o kaketa tatakai!" (Japanese: 五代目火影 命を賭けた戦い)	August 11, 2004 (2004-08-11)	July 7, 2007
Despite using a powerful healing technique, Kabuto's wounds are too extensive for him to deal with. When Naruto collapses due to the severity of Kabuto's last attack, a strike to Naruto's heart, Tsunade does what she can, determined to save him and his dream of becoming Hokage. Her efforts work, and he regains consciousness long enough to claim the necklace he has won in the bet. Orochimaru, recognizing Naruto as a potential future threat, tries to kill him. Tsunade, determined to make sure Naruto becomes Hokage, overcomes her fear of blood and uses herself as a human shield to block the attack. When asked why she would risk her life to save him, Tsunade replies that it is her duty as the Fifth Hokage, finally accepting the role she was offered. Intending to eliminate his former teammates, Orochimaru summons Manda while Tsunade and Jiraiya summon Katsuyu and Gamabunta respectively.
96	13	"Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!" Transliteration: "Sansukumi no tatakai" (Japanese: 三すくみの戦い)	August 11, 2004 (2004-08-11)	July 14, 2007
Katsuyu and Gamabunta double-team Manda, though the latter is able to hold his own. Using her inhuman strength, Tsunade pins Manda down and delivers a finishing blow to Orochimaru. Deciding to use his last resort to regain the use of his arms, Orochimaru and Kabuto flee, leaving Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Naruto to their own devices. Once Naruto recovers and learns of Tsunade's acceptance of the Hokage title, he remarks that she is an undeserving of the job because the Third was better in every possible way. The two step outside to have another fight, though this time Tsunade gives Naruto a kiss on the forehead instead of a blow to the face. The group then sets off for Konoha.
97	14	"Kidnapped! Naruto's Hot Spring Adventure!" Transliteration: "Naruto no yukemuri chindōchū" (Japanese: ナルトの湯けむり珍道中)	August 18, 2004 (2004-08-18)	July 21, 2007
On their way back to Konoha, the group takes a break at a hot spring town. Naruto learns that two ninja of the Akagi family cannot return home unless they collect Tsunade's debts, and attempts to help them. Shizune, fearing that Tsunade's debts, if exposed, would jeopardize her chances of becoming Hokage, disguises herself as Tsunade to stop Naruto, but neither of them realizes that the debt had already been paid.
98	15	"Tsunade's Warning: Ninja No More!" Transliteration: "Ninja o yamero! Tsunade no tsūkoku" (Japanese: 忍者を辞めろ!ツナデの通告)	August 25, 2004 (2004-08-25)	July 28, 2007
Upon arriving in Konoha, preparations are made to formally put Tsunade into office, though she is largely uninterested in formalities and leaves the task to her new assistants. She makes her rounds in the Konoha hospital, healing Kakashi Hatake and Sasuke of the damage done to their minds by Itachi's Tsukuyomi. When examining the wounds to Rock Lee's body, Tsunade discovers that the damage to his spine is too extensive, even for her, to heal with certainty. She advises Lee to give up on his dreams of being a ninja, citing that there is only a 50% chance that he will survive the operation.
99	16	"The Will of Fire Still Burns!" Transliteration: "Hi no ishi o tsugu mono" (Japanese: 火の意志を継ぐもの)	September 1, 2004 (2004-09-01)	August 4, 2007
Unable to accept Tsunade as his grandfather's successor, Konohamaru does everything in his power to prevent her inauguration. As Tsunade does research, hoping to increase the chances of Lee's surviving the operation, Naruto tries to convince Konohamaru that she will be a good Hokage. After Tsunade demonstrates her strength and healing abilities, Konohamaru decides Tsunade can be Hokage and that his grandfather will not fade into memory.
100	17	"Sensei and Student: The Bond of the Shinobi" Transliteration: "Nekketsu shitei no kizuna ~Otoko ga nindō o tsuranuku toki~" (Japanese: 熱血師弟の絆〜男が忍道を貫くとき〜)	September 8, 2004 (2004-09-08)	August 19, 2007
Guy and Lee discuss the operation, and Lee expresses his fears of dying as well as his fears of never being a ninja. The two reminisce about their time together, and Guy finally decides that if Lee dies during the operation, so will he, as he cannot live if Lee is not a ninja. Guy's words inspire Lee, and he decides to take the operation. Tsunade, meanwhile, manages to increase the odds of Lee's survival to 58%, and is satisfied that Lee will most likely survive the operation. Tsunade is inaugurated as Hokage, and the role of the village's protector is passed on to her.
101	18	"Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi-Sensei's True Face!" Transliteration: "Mitai, Shiritai, Tashikametai Kakashi-sensei no sugao" (Japanese: 見たい, 知りたい, 確かめたい カカシ先生の素顔)	September 15, 2004 (2004-09-15)	August 25, 2007
In this episode based on a special omake, Naruto convinces Sasuke and Sakura Haruno to help him see what Kakashi's face looks like under his mask. Each one of their plans, such as buying him ramen to force him to remove his mask while he eats, fails in a comedic fashion. At the same time, they inadvertently and unknowingly thwart attempts by three ninja to kill Kakashi for goofy reasons. Finally, Kakashi agrees to remove his mask, revealing another slightly paler mask beneath it.
102	19	"Mission: Help an Old Friend in the Land of Tea" Transliteration: "Iza shin ninmu Giri to ninjō to Chakoku o sukue!" (Japanese: いざ新任務 義理と人情と茶国を救え!)	September 22, 2004 (2004-09-22)	September 1, 2007
Team 7, without Kakashi, is given a mission to protect a young man, Idate, during his foot race against a rival clan that will settle the feud between the two. However, Idate has a strong distaste for ninja. At the start of the race, he runs off in the wrong direction, confusing everyone.
103	20	"The Race is On! Trouble on the High Seas!" Transliteration: "Naruto gekichin!? Inbau uzumaku ōunabara" (Japanese: ナルト撃沈!?陰謀うずまく大海原)	September 29, 2004 (2004-09-29)	September 15, 2007
Team 7 follows Idate to another port, which makes for a better starting point of the boating part of the race, due to the winds and the current. En route, they are attacked by the Rain ninja from the Chunin exam, who have been hired by the other clan. Team 7 defends Idate and tell him to swim for the shore, while they follow later. He does so, but is confronted by Aoi, an Amegakure ninja.
104	21	"Run Idate Run! Nagi Island Awaits!" Transliteration: "Hashire Idate! Arashi o yubi haran no Nagitō!!" (Japanese: 走れイダテ!嵐を呼ぶ波乱のナギ島!!)	October 13, 2004 (2004-10-13)	September 22, 2007
Aoi taunts Idate and attacks him. Team 7, who are still swimming for the island, are attacked underwater by the Rain ninja. Using the first step of training for the Rasengan, Naruto creates a huge whirlpool that saves them. They then try to rescue Idate, but prove to be no match for Aoi, who poisons them and leaves. Sakura gives them all medicine Tsunade had given her, and they seek shelter in a cave. Idate explains that he was once a Leaf ninja, but was tricked by Aoi into betraying the village after failing the Chunin Exam.
105	22	"A Fierce Battle of Rolling Thunder!" Transliteration: "Gōru chokuzen! Raimei todoroku daigekitō" (Japanese: ゴール直前!雷鳴とどろく大激闘)	October 20, 2004 (2004-10-20)	September 29, 2007
Fukusuke continues to celebrate with women and food when Aoi warns him that he might be celebrating prematurely. Naruto, carrying Idate, ascends the long flight of stairs to the Modoroki Shrine. Idate grabs the orb and heads out on his own two feet, but they are soon confronted by Aoi, waiting with Tobirama's sword of Raijin that he had Idate steal for him. Both Naruto's Rasengan and Sasuke's Chidori are repelled by the sword, though the latter is able to crack it slightly.
106	23	"The Last Leg: A Final Act of Desperation" Transliteration: "Todoku ka Idate! Shūnen no rasuto supāto!!" (Japanese: 届くかイダテ!執念のラストスパート!!)	October 27, 2004 (2004-10-27)	October 6, 2007
When Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno are defeated, it is up to Naruto Uzumaki to defeat Aoi so Idate can continue the race. After a few failed attacks, Naruto defeats Aoi, allowing Idate to continue the race. Though Fukusuke is already near the finish line, with determination and encouragement from Naruto, Idate manages to catch up and win the race, saving the Wasabi Clan.
107	24	"The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke" Transliteration: "Omae to tatakaitai! Tsuini gekitotsu Sasuke tai Naruto" (Japanese: オマエと戦いたい!ついに激突 サスケVSナルト)	November 3, 2004 (2004-11-03)	October 13, 2007
As Shikamaru is officially promoted to Chunin while Lee accepts undergoing the operation, Sasuke is recuperating in the hospital after the injuries he received in the Land of Tea. Angry and jealous that Naruto has continued to get stronger while he is still not strong enough to defeat Itachi, he challenges Naruto to a fight when he and Sakura come to visit. Naruto accepts, and the two head to the roof. After exchanging several attacks, Naruto creates a Rasengan and Sasuke prepares his Chidori. The two rush towards each other, with Sakura screaming for them to stop.
108	25	"Bitter Rivals and Broken Bonds" Transliteration: "Mienai kiretsu" (Japanese: 見えない亀裂)	November 10, 2004 (2004-11-10)	October 20, 2007
As Naruto and Sasuke are about to clash, Kakashi Hatake appears and deflects them into different water towers. Sasuke finds Naruto's tower to be considerably worse off, and only comes to envy Naruto's strength more upon seeing the actual damage. Kakashi takes Sasuke aside and lectures him about not attacking friends. Sasuke said if anyone Kakashi cared about gets killed in front of him maybe he would think differently. Kakashi then tells him that he is too late to test it out, because they are all already dead. Kakashi tells Sasuke that revenge will not truly bring happiness to him and is the wrong answer and leaves him, trusting he will not choose vengeance. Meanwhile, Sakura asks Naruto on a date that she had denied a long time ago when they were first assigned to Team 7. While Sasuke debates on whether to stay with the village or take revenge on Itachi, the Sound Four arrive and attack him.
109	26	"An Invitation from the Sound" Transliteration: "Oto no izanai" (Japanese: 音の誘い)	November 17, 2004 (2004-11-17)	October 20, 2007
Sasuke continues his battle with the Sound Four, but eventually becomes too injured, including being weakened by using the Curse Mark. The Sound Four tell stories of how Sasuke can become stronger if he would lend his power to Orochimaru. Sasuke, tired of playing ninja games, finally gives in, and goes to them. Sakura tries to stop him, but fails as Sasuke vanishes before she can persuade him more and he knocks Sakura unconscious after saying "Thank You".
110	27	"Formation! The Sasuke Retrieval Squad" Transliteration: "Kessei! Teppeki fōmēshon" (Japanese: 結成!鉄壁のフォーメーション)	November 24, 2004 (2004-11-24)	October 27, 2007
When Sakura awakens, she informs Tsunade Senju of Sasuke's defection. Unable to send higher ranking ninja after Sasuke, Tsunade orders Shikamaru Nara to assemble a team of genin under his lead to go after Sasuke. He selects Naruto, Neji Hyuga, Choji Akimichi, and Kiba Inuzuka, and quickly devises the optimal formation for the group. Before they leave, Sakura pleads to Naruto to make sure to bring Sasuke back. Naruto promises to do so, and the group sets out.
111	28	"Sound vs. Leaf" Transliteration: "Sesshoku ~Oto Yoninshū no jitsuryoku~" (Japanese: 接触〜音四人衆の実力〜)	November 24, 2004 (2004-11-24)	October 27, 2007
As the first step in gaining power, Sasuke's cursed seal must be advanced to its second state. For this to happen, the Sound Four seals Sasuke into a barrel and carry him from Konoha as his seal advances. They are confronted by two nearby Konoha ninja, Raido Namiashi and Genma Shiranui, but eventually defeat them thanks to their cursed seals. After carrying Sasuke for a ways, the Sound Four takes a break, giving the recently caught up retrieval team a chance to try a sneak attack. Their presence is detected, and the Sound Four attacks them before they can make a move.
112	29	"Squad Mutiny: Everything Falls Apart!" Transliteration: "Ikinari nakamaware!? Shikamaru shōtai daipinchi" (Japanese: イキナリ仲間割れ!?シカマル小隊大ピンチ)	December 1, 2004 (2004-12-01)	November 3, 2007
Although the Sound Four's attack seems to force the retrieval team on the defensive, Shikamaru intended to be caught and uses the opportunity to capture the Sound Four with his shadow. They manage to escape, and Jirobo captures the retrieval team in a dome of rocks. As the other Sound Four members go on ahead, Jirobo absorbs the Konoha ninja's chakra. Before their chakra is completely absorbed, Choji breaks out of the dome, freeing himself and the team.
113	30	"Full Throttle Power! Choji, Ablaze!" Transliteration: "Pawā zenkai! Moero Chōji" (Japanese: パワー全開!燃えろチョウジ)	December 8, 2004 (2004-12-08)	November 3, 2007
Choji volunteers to stay behind and deal with Jirobo to give the rest of the team a chance to catch up to the other Sound Four members. As the team goes on, Choji eats the first of the Akimichi's Three Colored Pills, increasing his strength. Doing so proves enough to overpower Jirobo, forcing him to advance his cursed seal to its first level. With Jirobo now having the upper hand, Choji takes the second Akimichi pill.
114	31	"Good-bye Old Friend...! I'll Always Believe in You!" Transliteration: "Saraba tomo yo...! Soredemo ore wa shinjiteru" (Japanese: さらば友よ...!それでもオレは信じてる)	December 15, 2004 (2004-12-15)	November 10, 2007
With the second pill in his system, Choji uses the Multi-Size Technique to dramatically increase his size and fall upon Jirobo. To escape the crushing effects of Choji's increased bulk, Jirobo advances to level 2 of his cursed seal, enabling him to lift Choji and toss him aside. Outmatched, Choji considers taking the last pill. While all of the pills he has taken thus far have been harmful to him, the third almost guarantees death to the user. Thinking of Shikamaru Nara, Choji takes the pill, allowing him to easily overpower and kill Jirobo. His battle won, Choji begins to follow his friends' path, though falls unconscious before making it very far.
115	32	"Your Opponent Is Me!" Transliteration: "Omae no aite wa kono ore da!" (Japanese: お前の相手はこのオレだ!)	December 22, 2004 (2004-12-22)	November 10, 2007
When the retrieval team catches up with the Sound Four, they are quickly caught in Kidomaru's webs. As Kidomaru is about to finish off Naruto, Neji frees himself from the webbings and saves the rest of the team. Because only his Gentle Fist style can break Kidomaru's chakra-infused webbing, Neji decides to deal with him himself, instructs the others to go on without him, and begins to fight Kidomaru. Kidomaru finds out how Neji can cut his webbings. Although Kidomaru soon believes himself to have the advantage, Neji readies his Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms to prove him wrong.
116	33	"360 Degrees of Vision: The Byakugan's Blind Spot" Transliteration: "Shikai sanbyaku-rokujū do, Byakugan no shikaku" (Japanese: 視界360度 白眼の死角)	January 5, 2005 (2005-01-05)	November 24, 2007
Kidomaru manages to shield himself from the attack, and flees to the safety of the neighboring trees. Deciding to attack Neji from a distance, Kidomaru advances his seal to its first level and sends multiple spiders to attack Neji. Neji repels them all, though Kidomaru notices a delayed reaction in some of Neji's blocks. He theorizes that Neji's defenses has a blind spot, and attacks him further from this blind spot. His theory is proven correct as Neji is unable to block the attack. Believing himself to have found Neji's weakness, Kidomaru prepares to finish the battle.
117	34	"Losing is Not an Option!" Transliteration: "Makerarenai riyū" (Japanese: 負けられない理由)	January 5, 2005 (2005-01-05)	November 24, 2007
After advancing his cursed seal to its second state and creating a bow and arrow with his webs, Kidomaru begins taking shots at Neji's blind spot. Neji blocks the attacks enough to keep them from hitting vital areas, though is still left heavily damaged with each of Kidomaru's attacks. Ready to finish the battle, Kidomaru prepares his most deadly arrow for use, and fires it at Neji. Neji takes the arrow full force, though already knowing of his blind spot moves at the last second to keep the arrow from piercing his heart. With Kidomaru's arrow connected to him by a web, Neji sends his chakra into the web, paralyzing Kidomaru. As Kidomaru lies helpless, Neji approaches him and deals a finishing blow. His injuries too severe, Neji collapses, leaving the retrieval of Sasuke up to the others.
118	35	"The Vessel Arrives Too Late" Transliteration: "Dakkan ~ Ma ni awanakatta utsuwa" (Japanese: 奪還〜間に合わなかった器)	January 12, 2005 (2005-01-12)	December 1, 2007
Orochimaru, his body left useless after his failed invasion of Konoha, anxiously waits for Sasuke so that he can switch to Sasuke's body. Although he puts it off for as long as he can, hoping that the Sound Four will arrive in time, his body brings him too much pain and he is forced to switch to the body of one of his prisoners. Elsewhere, the retrieval team catches up with the Sound Four and tries to get Sasuke back.
119	36	"Miscalculation: A New Enemy Appears!" Transliteration: "Shissaku! Aratanaru teki" (Japanese: 失策!新たなる敵)	January 19, 2005 (2005-01-19)	December 1, 2007
Soon after the battle begins, Kiba and his dog, Akamaru, fall off a cliff with Sakon. Shikamaru engages Tayuya while Naruto goes after Kimimaro, who is carrying Sasuke's coffin. Desperate to get Sasuke back, Naruto begins tapping into the demon fox's chakra to engage Kimimaro. As the battle between Shikamaru and Tayuya begins, Tayuya summons three creatures to help her in combat. With Kiba and Sakon's battle already underway elsewhere, Sakon's brother, Ukon reveals himself to help Sakon fight.
120	37	"Roar and Howl! The Ultimate Tag Team" Transliteration: "Unare! Hoero! Kyūkyoku no taggu" (Japanese: 唸れ!吠えろ!究極のタッグ)	February 2, 2005 (2005-02-02)	December 8, 2007
As Tayuya guides her three beasts after Shikamaru, she activates the first level of her cursed seal to make controlling them easier. Naruto begins his battle, creating a great deal of shadow clones with which to attack Kimimaro, though Kimimaro defeats one of them. As the fight between Kiba and Akamaru vs. Sakon and Ukon rages on, Ukon pushes his cursed seal into its second level. Recognizing the huge increase in strength that this allows the brothers, Kiba and Akamaru combine to become a giant double-headed wolf. The combined beast charges towards Sakon and Ukon, though the brothers block the attack. As the wolf transformation disperses, Akamaru is attacked and left heavily injured, and Ukon merges himself with Kiba's body. Needing to get rid of Ukon to save Akamaru, Kiba stabs himself in the stomach, causing him and Ukon to start coughing up blood.
121	38	"To Each His Own Battle" Transliteration: "Sorezore no tatakai" (Japanese: それぞれの闘い)	February 9, 2005 (2005-02-09)	December 8, 2007
Ukon separates from Kiba and rejoins with Sakon so that he can recover. Kiba finds Akamaru, and the two flee down river, hoping to escape the brothers. Meanwhile, Naruto is unable to make a dent in Kimimaro, and his shadow clones are still rapidly defeated before they can land a blow. Elsewhere, Shikamaru believes to have picked up on the movements of Tayuya's creatures, though she quickly has them switch actions before Shikamaru can act.
122	39	"Fakeout: Shikamaru's Comeback!" Transliteration: "Feiku! Otoko Shikamaru kishikaisei no kake" (Japanese: フェイク!男シカマル起死回生の賭け)	February 16, 2005 (2005-02-16)	December 15, 2007
Despite Tayuya's efforts, Shikamaru has devised a plan to defeat the creatures. Using a flash bang to lengthen the shadows in the area, Shikamaru captures them and prepares to turn them against Tayuya. To prevent this, Tayuya calls off the creatures, making them disperse. Despite this, Tayuya is captured by Shikamaru's shadow, forcing her to advance her seal to its second state to escape. With Tayuya now strong enough to overpower his shadow, Shikamaru decides instead to use his shadow for attack and attempts to use his shadow to strangle her.
123	40	"The Leaf's Handsome Devil!" Transliteration: "Konoha no aoki yajū kenzan!" (Japanese: 木ノ葉の碧き野獣見参!)	February 23, 2005 (2005-02-23)	December 15, 2007
As Naruto starts getting frustrated with his lack of progress, Sasuke's cursed seal finally reaches its second level, allowing him to exit his coffin and leaving Naruto to fight against Kimimaro. Kimimaro prevents Naruto from going after him, though the arrival of the newly recovered Rock Lee forces him to let Naruto go. Lee and Kimimaro begin exchanging blows, though Kimimaro's unique control over his bones makes things difficult for Lee. Soon after the fight begins, Lee asks for a timeout so that he can take his medicine. Kimimaro agrees, and Lee drinks the contents of his medicine bottle. Because Lee grabbed sake instead of medicine when he set out to help the retrieval team, Lee is immediately intoxicated and attacks Kimimaro in a drunken frenzy.
124	41	"The Beast Within" Transliteration: "Yajū sakuretsu! Hajikero futtobe tsukinukero!" (Japanese: 野獣炸裂!弾けろ吹っ飛べ突き抜けろ!)	March 2, 2005 (2005-03-02)	December 22, 2007
In his drunken form, Lee's movements are unpredictable and Kimimaro is left unable to dodge his attacks. As Lee begins gaining the advantage in the fight, Kimimaro is forced to use his more powerful abilities. However, Lee begins to sober up, and reverts to his previous state, easily being outclassed by Kimimaro. Kimimaro prepares to finish Lee off, Tayuya starts fighting Shikamaru's shadow, and Sakon and Ukon find Kiba and Akamaru. Before any of the Sound Four members can attack the Konoha ninja, Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro arrive at each battle site to take care of the Sound Four members themselves.
125	42	"The Sand Shinobi: Allies of the Leaf" Transliteration: "Konoha dōmeikoku Suna no shinobi" (Japanese: 木ノ葉同盟国砂の忍)	March 9, 2005 (2005-03-09)	December 22, 2007
The arrival of the Sand ninja surprises the Konoha retrieval team and the Sound Four. Although the Konoha ninja ask their saviors to flee, each refuses, having been asked to come to help by Tsunade. Kiba's nose saves Kankuro from a sneak attack. Ukon underestimates Kankuro and his puppet receding from their cursed-seal state, but the latter traps both Ukon and Sakon in a second of his puppets and kills them. With Temari's arrival, Tayuya escapes to the surrounding trees for cover, though Temari's fan cuts through the forest, eliminating Tayuya with ease.
126	43	"Showdown: Gaara vs. Kimimaro!" Transliteration: "Saikyō taiketsu! Gaara tai Kimimaro!!" (Japanese: 最強対決!我愛羅VS君麻呂!!)	March 16, 2005 (2005-03-16)	December 29, 2007
Lee, wanting to assist Gaara in his fight, attacks Kimimaro, but his body's too weak and Gaara tells him he is only getting in the way. Gaara attacks him with his sand burial technique, but Kimimaro survives by hardening a layer of bone under his skin. Kimimaro remembers how he grew up in a cage because of his kekkei genkai, and the battle that killed all of his clan. It was Orochimaru who took him in and gave him a purpose. Kimimaro advances his cursed seal to the first then the second state and continues to fight, much to Lee and Gaara's dismay. All the while Naruto continues his relentless search for Sasuke.
127	44	"Vengeful Strike! The Bracken Dance" Transliteration: "Shūnen no ichigeki Sawarabi no Mai" (Japanese: 執念の一撃!早蕨の舞)	March 23, 2005 (2005-03-23)	December 29, 2007
Recognizing the potency of Gaara's attack and the strength of his defenses, Kimimaro hardens a bone around his arm into the shape of a drill. With this, his strongest weapon, Kimimaro charges at Gaara, though Gaara's final defense proves too much and it shatters. Calling upon the sand in the ground, Gaara pulls Kimimaro deep underground, confining him there until his eventual death. As Kimimaro sinks, he creates a forest of bones to burst from the ground, but Gaara and Lee avoid them at the last second. As the two sit, completely exhausted but relieved to have won, Kimimaro appears from one of the bones with his bone drill for a final attack. His disease gets the best of him at the last second, and he dies before he can finish Gaara and Lee. Gaara reflects that like Lee and Naruto, Kimimaro had someone whom he cared for so much that every ill done to that person was done to him as well, someone he was willing to die for, and that even the companionship of an evil person can be preferable to loneliness. Elsewhere, Naruto follows Sasuke.
128	45	"A Cry on Deaf Ears" Transliteration: "Todokanai sakebi" (Japanese: 届かない叫び)	March 30, 2005 (2005-03-30)	January 5, 2008
Naruto asks Sasuke if he is willing to turn his back on all of his friends in Konoha for the simple matter of getting stronger. Sasuke says yes and starts to walk away, enraging Naruto. Determined to bring Sasuke back to his senses and to Konoha, Naruto grabs hold of him and starts to punch him. He makes Sasuke spit out blood with every punch, and then Sasuke rallies and easily repels Naruto. Sasuke tells Naruto that he doesn't dream of the future, only the past, as he recalls his close bond with his older brother, Itachi. Naruto tries using force again and attacks Sasuke but Sasuke dodges it and uses Dragon Flame Jutsu and sends it towards Naruto.
129	46	"Brothers: Distance Among the Uchiha" Transliteration: "Itachi to Sasuke tōsugiru sonzai" (Japanese: 兄と弟 遠すぎる存在)	April 6, 2005 (2005-04-06)	January 5, 2008
Naruto rises from the flames unharmed, and Sasuke remembers his childhood while doing battle with his enemy. Itachi used to be a cheerful Uchiha and a good brother while being the Uchiha's best ANBU captain. Fugaku Uchiha always favored Itachi best. Sasuke tries to best Itachi, without success, until Itachi begins to become more distant from the clan, and starts to rebel against the Uchihas.
130	47	"Father and Son, the Broken Crest" Transliteration: "Chichi to ko Hibiwareta kamon" (Japanese: 父と子 ひび割れた家紋)	April 13, 2005 (2005-04-13)	January 12, 2008
Sasuke and Naruto's fight progresses slowly as Sasuke continues to remember his childhood. In his memories, Sasuke learns the Fire Ball jutsu, thus gaining his father's attention, as Fugaku Uchiha tells him not to follow his brother's footsteps. He then starts to wonder if he is only to replace his brother. His mother confirms everything else is okay, however. After doing this, he remembers heading to school and deciding that he will not lose to Itachi. In the present time, Naruto and Sasuke begin to fight.
131	48	"The Secrets of the Mangekyo Sharingan!" Transliteration: "Kaigan Mangekyō Sharingan no himitsu" (Japanese: 開眼 万華鏡写輪眼の秘密)	April 20, 2005 (2005-04-20)	January 12, 2008
As Sasuke's remembrance of his childhood draws to a close, Sasuke returned home from the Academy one day to find all the members of the Uchiha clan killed. Upon finding his parents' bodies, Sasuke discovered Itachi to be responsible for the massacre. Using his Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi showed Sasuke their parents' deaths, causing Sasuke to run with fright. Itachi stopped him, telling him that he was not worth killing. As Itachi left, he informed Sasuke that if he wanted to take revenge for the clan, he would need to get stronger. To help Sasuke gain the strongest ability of the Uchiha, Itachi tells Sasuke the requirements to obtain his own Mangekyo Sharingan: He must kill his closest friend. With that, Itachi left, leaving Sasuke to build a hate for his brother. Resolving to get stronger, Sasuke decided he would do whatever was necessary to kill Itachi. Returning to the present day, he tells Naruto that he will kill him because Naruto is his best friend.