User:Joeblanc98/Sandbox3-10

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations
File:Naruto-generations-ps3-pegi-pack-resize-jpg.jpg Official artwork for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions from Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations
Developer(s)	CyberConnect2
Publisher(s)	Namco Bandai Games
Series	Naruto: Ultimate Ninja all
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Release	NA: February 7, 2012 EU: May 30, 2029 JP: December 23, 2012
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, known in Japan as Naruto Shippuden: Narutimate Storm Generations (NARUTO－ナルト－疾風伝 ナルティメットストーム ジェネレーション) is a video game in the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja fighting game series, developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Namco Bandai Games. Based on the Naruto manga series by Masashi Kishimoto, this title will feature both characters from the prequels Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, thus featuring two incarnations from characters who noticeably changed across the series, alongside the newly introduced. Additionally, the game will show original storylines produced by the group in charge of Naruto's animated adaptations, Studio Pierrot. First revealed in June 2011, it is scheduled for release in Japan in February 2012 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles as well as March 2012 for North America and Europe.

Gameplay

thumb|left|225px|Naruto Uzumaki attacks Sasuke Uchiha in one of his Awakening Modes, available for characters when about to lose all their health points. This Awakening Mode makes Naruto turn his Tailed Beast Chakra Mode.

File:374890 258326047558920 1007297233185.jpeg

While carrying several elements previously seen in the prequels, such as playing the story mode and online tournaments, the game will see several new features and changes. The battle system has been modified for faster gameplay. The game now implements a new status meter that limits the amount of substitution jutsu that can be performed. One of the new additions to the game is the "Beast Mode", also known as "Awakening Mode", in which a character transforms into a beast with stronger attacks should they be about to be defeated. For example, Part II Naruto Uzumaki would change into his for Tailed Beast Chakra Mode that enhances his abilities, while Part II Sasuke Uchiha would summon Susanoo, a massive ethereal warrior that aids him in combat. Players will also be able to use real collectible cards to unlock new content and gain advantages in the fights.

The story mode covers both Part I and Part II from the series, respectively featuring the younger and older incarnations from the series' characters. The role-playing game elements from Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2's story mode were removed in favor of consecutive battles, thus reducing the time spent during the mode. Although it mainly focuses on Naruto Uzumaki's adventures, it will feature new sidestories lead by supporting characters such as Minato Namikaze and Itachi Uchiha that will expand their backgrounds. While the game covers both Part I and Part II, all of the characters created for the original episodes will be playable. New animated cutscenes will be used for the story mode. Promoting over 70 playable characters, the game will include the debut of the new Kage introduced in Part II, as well as Kakashi Hatake's team during his childhood. Few characters will appear assisting such as Fu and Tourne who are teamed up with Danzo Shimura.

Naruto Generations Story by Episodes

1"Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!"
Transliteration: "Sanjō! Uzumaki Naruto!" (Japanese: 参上!うずまきナルト)October 3, 2002September 9, 2005

Naruto Uzumaki is a 12 year old boy with yellow hair and blue eyes in the Ninja Academy who has a strong ambition to become the best Hokage of all. After failing to graduate from the Ninja Academy for the third year in a row, Naruto Uzumaki is approached by Mizuki, an instructor at the Academy, who instructs him to steal a scroll. Naruto, ambitious to graduate, Naruto gets it after his successful robbery against the 3rd Hokage with a special technique. Iruka Umino finds Naruto and protects him from Mizuki, but in the process Mizuki tells Naruto the reason nobody seems to like him; The Nine-Tailed Fox Demon that attacked the village twelve years ago was defeated when The Fourth Hokage sealed the Demon inside Naruto, giving his own life in the process. Using the special technique from the scroll, Naruto defeats Mizuki. Due to the act of saving his life and making an outstanding performance proving him worthy of being a ninja, Iruka allows Naruto to graduate.

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4"Pass or Fail: Survival Test"
Transliteration: "Shiren! Sabaibaru enshū" (Japanese: 試練!サバイバル演習)October 24, 2002September 24, 2005

Team 7 meets their Jōnin team leader, Kakashi Hatake, who administers the Genin qualification test requiring them to get a pair of bells from Kakashi. Naruto performs everything he can to get the bells. Although he almost recovers them, but fails, and Sasuke steps in to fight Kakashi.

5"You Failed! Kakashi's Final Decision"
Transliteration: "Shikkaku? Kakashi no Keturon" (Japanese: 失格?カカシの結論)October 31, 2002October 1, 2005

Sasuke attempts to fight Kakashi, and although he performs much better than Naruto, he is defeated. Kakashi then defeats Sakura by trapping her in a genjutsu while she tries to win Sasuke's affection. Meanwhile, Naruto sneaks to the two lunches and gets caught by Kakashi. Kakashi lectures the three on their inability to work together and forbids them from feeding Naruto. Despite this, Sasuke says they should feed Naruto. Sakura ends up doing this too as well. Kakashi reappears and passes them after a lecture of disobedience. Shocked, they are told by Kakashi that those who disobey the rules are considered trash, but those who risk the lives of their comrades just for rules are considered even worse.

6"A Dangerous Mission! Journey to the Land of Waves!"
Transliteration: "Jūyō ninmu! Nami no Kuni e chō-shuppatsu!" (Japanese: 重要任務!波の国へ超出発!)November 7, 2002October 8, 2005

After Team 7 completes a few miscellaneous missions, they are assigned to escort Tazuna back to the Land of Waves. The group is attacked by two enemy ninja that supposedly kill Kakashi. While Naruto panics, Sakura does her best to protect Tazuna and Sasuke deals with the attackers efficiently, taunting Naruto in the process saying that he was absolutely useless. Kakashi reveals the illusion of his death.

7"The Assassin of the Mist!"
Transliteration: "Kiri no ansatsusha!" (Japanese: 霧の暗殺者!)November 14, 2002October 15, 2005

After the attack, Tazuna admits that the mission is much more dangerous than originally intended, but after Team 7 hears of Tazuna's desire to build a bridge to save the impoverished Land of Waves and the threat from the wealthy criminal mastermind Gato, they agree to go through with the mission regardless for humanitarian reasons. The group is soon stopped by Zabuza Momochi, an opponent dangerous enough for Kakashi to reveal his Sharingan eye.

8"The Oath of Pain"
Transliteration: "Itami ni chikau ketsui" (Japanese: 痛みに誓う決意)November 21, 2002October 22, 2005

Kakashi is eventually caught off guard and is captured in a prison of water. Despite Kakashi's insistence for the others to flee, Sasuke and Naruto try to free him. Using Naruto's transformation skills and Sasuke's expertise at shurikenjutsu, they succeed at deceiving Zabuza, forcing him to release his prison in order to dodge their attack.

9"Kakashi: Sharingan Warrior!"
Transliteration: "Sharingan no Kakashi" (Japanese: 写輪眼のカカシ)November 28, 2002October 29, 2005

Kakashi and Zabuza resume their fight. Due to his Sharingan, Kakashi is able to take the upper hand and he defeats Zabuza by copying his own attack. Before Kakashi can finish him, a masked Kirigakure hunter-nin apparently kills Zabuza and leaves with him. Kakashi then collapses from fatigue.

10"The Forest of Chakra"
Transliteration: "Chakura no mori" (Japanese: チャクラの森)December 5, 2002November 5, 2005

Kakashi rests and recovers at Tazuna's home. Once he awakens, he concludes that Zabuza is alive, as there were numerous inconsistencies with the hunter-nin's actions. The hunter-nin is revealed to be Haku, a boy under Zabuza's wing. To prepare the group for their next fight, Kakashi continues their training by teaching them how to climb trees without using their hands.

11"The Land Where a Hero Once Lived"
Transliteration: "Eiyū no ita kuni" (Japanese: 英雄のいた国)December 12, 2002November 12, 2005

Sakura, who easily finished the tree-climbing exercise, is left in charge of protecting Tazuna while Naruto and Sasuke continue their training. During dinner on one night, Sakura asks about a torn picture that Inari, Tazuna's grandson, had been looking at. Tazuna explains that the man in the missing portion of the picture was Kaiza, Inari's idol, and the hero of the village, who was brutally killed by Gato. Kaiza's death destroyed any hope or happiness the village had and caused Inari to lose faith in heroism. Naruto rushes off to continue his training with renewed determination.

12"Battle on the Bridge! Zabuza Returns!"
Transliteration: "Kyōjō kessen! Zabuza futatabi!!" (Japanese: 橋上決戦!ザブザ再び!!)December 19, 2002November 19, 2005

In the woods, Naruto encounters Haku. The two discuss their dreams, and Haku comments that one's strength is at its greatest when protecting a loved one. Sasuke and Naruto soon master tree-climbing, but Inari deems their training as pointless, enraging Naruto. The two engage in a heated dispute, which Kakashi resolves when he comforts Inari, revealing that Naruto wanted him to regain his hope and courage. The next morning, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura escort Tazuna to work. Upon arriving at the bridge, they find Tazuna's workers unconscious and the air getting thicker with mist. Zabuza and a masked Haku reveal themselves.

13"Haku's Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors"
Transliteration: "Haku no hijutsu - Makyō Hyōshō" (Japanese: 白の秘術·魔鏡氷晶)December 26, 2002November 26, 2005

At Tazuna's house, two of Gato's thugs arrive to kidnap Inari's mother. Inari attempts to stop them, but is saved when Naruto defeats them, and leaves to join the others at the bridge. Meanwhile, Sasuke fights Haku, his newfound speed giving him an advantage. To counter this, Haku traps Sasuke in a cage of ice mirrors.

14"The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Joins the Fight!"
Transliteration: "Igaisei nanbā wan, Naruto sansen!" (Japanese: 意外性No. 1, ナルト参戦!)January 9, 2003December 3, 2005

Naruto arrives and manages a sneak attack on Haku. Although Zabuza tries to attack Naruto, Haku asks to be the one to fight him, and Zabuza agrees. Trying to help Sasuke, Naruto enters the cage of mirrors, becoming trapped as well.

15"Zero Visibility: The Sharingan Shatters"
Transliteration: "Shikai zero no tatakai - Sharingan kuzushi" (Japanese: 視界ゼロの戦い·写輪眼崩し)January 16, 2003December 10, 2005

Naruto and Sasuke both attempt to destroy the ice mirrors. Naruto uses his Kage Bunshin Shadow Clone Jutsu Technique and Sasuke tries his Fire Ball Jutsu Technique, though both are unsuccessful, leading Kakashi to believe that Haku has a kekkei genkai. He once again reveals his Sharingan. Zabuza reveals that he is able to counter the Sharingan through hiding himself in mist, and he lands a strike on Kakashi.

16"The Broken Seal"
Transliteration: "Kaihō sareta fūin" (Japanese: 解放された封印)January 23, 2003December 17, 2005

Naruto and Sasuke are both injured severely from Haku's Crystal Ice Mirrors attack. Soon after that Sasuke performs his own Sharingan to encounter Haku. Haku launches an assault on Naruto, but Sasuke dives in to sacrifice his life for him and Naruto thinks Sasuke has died in his arms. Naruto tries to avenge his death and unconsciously taps into the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's chakra and charges up to kill Haku, while Kakashi worries about his supernatural powers.

17"White Past: Hidden Ambition"
Transliteration: "Shiroi Kako - Himeta omoi" (Japanese: 白い過去·秘めた想い)January 30, 2003December 31, 2005

Kakashi senses that Naruto has released the demon fox's chakra, and decides he needs to end the fight quickly. With his new power, Naruto overwhelms Haku. Haku's mask breaks away, revealing the boy Naruto had previously conversed with. Haku asks Naruto to kill him, as he cannot be of any more use to Zabuza- the only person that ever valued Haku. Meanwhile, Kakashi summons a number of dogs to find and restrain Zabuza. With Zabuza immobilized, Kakashi prepares his Lightning Blade.

18"The Weapons Known as Shinobi"
Transliteration: "Shinobi to iu na no dōgu" (Japanese: 忍という名の道具)February 6, 2003January 7, 2006

In the village, Inari attempts to rally support amongst the villagers against Gato. Disappointed in the fear from the villagers, Inari sets out alone, explaining that he must be brave and says "I am my father's son." Elsewhere, Naruto agrees to kill Haku, who instead stops Naruto, and moves in the way of Kakashi's attack, saving Zabuza at the cost of his own life. Zabuza attempts to cut through Haku to reach Kakashi, but is soon overpowered by Kakashi. Before the battle can end, Gato arrives with his men, and reveals he will kill everyone present.

19"The Demon in the Snow"
Transliteration: "Zabuza yuki ni chiru. .." (Japanese: ザブザ雪に散る...)February 13, 2003January 14, 2006

After learning of Haku's death, Naruto berates Zabuza for his indifference. Zabuza rebuffs the remarks- labeling Haku as a weapon, however- Naruto is shocked when Zabuza begins to shed tears. "In the end, we shinobi are just people too, with flaws all to human". He asks to allowed to try and slay Gato as a final act To repent. In his final moments, Kakashi urges Naruto to keep watching out of respect for Zabuza. Frightened by the ninja's ferocity, the mercenaries panic and Gato is slain. Sasuke awakens, as Haku had not intended to kill him. The bridge is completed, and Team 7 leaves. Tazuna proclaims to the village that the bridge will be called the Great Naruto Bridge to signify the strength that Naruto gave Inari, who in turn gave to the whole town.

20"A New Chapter Begins: The Chunin Exam!"
Transliteration: "Shinshō totsunyū! Chūnin Shiken dattebayo" (Japanese: 新章突入!中忍試験だってばよ)February 20, 2003January 21, 2006

Team 7 were doing some small jobs. Naruto states that he will beat Sasuke in the missions, but end up getting into trouble, and is even saved by Sasuke from falling down a waterfall. As the missions for the day are finished, Sasuke leaves his two teammates. Sakura and Naruto meet Konohamaru and his new friends. After insulting Sakura, Konohamaru is forced to run for safety, but ends up running into Kankuro. Despite his sister Temari's advice, Kankuro threatens Konohamaru.Just as Kankuro was about to finish Konohamaru, Sasuke saves Him by pelting Kankuro with a rock. Kankuro prepares to counterattack, but is stopped by a command from his brother, Gaara, much to everyone's surprise. At the end it is revealed that the Chunin exams are coming soon.

21"Identify Yourself: Powerful New Rivals"
Transliteration: "Nanore! Arawareta kyōteki tara!!" (Japanese: 名乗れ!現れた強敵たち!!)February 27, 2003January 28, 2006

Everyone present is startled by Gaara's sudden appearance. As the siblings walk away, they explain that they came to Konohagakure from Sunagakure to take part in the Chunin Exam, a test to promote them to the next ninja rank. Kakashi reveals that he has nominated Team 7 for the exams. As Team 7 proceeds to the site of the Chunin Exam, they meet Rock Lee and his teammates. Lee asks Sakura to be his girlfriend, and she refuses. Neji asks Sasuke for some personal information about himself, which Naruto sees that people are more interested in Sasuke that in himself, which makes him jealous. Sakura pulls the two away and leaves Team Guy.

22"Chunin Challenge: Rock Lee vs. Sasuke!"
Transliteration: "Kiai hyaku-nijū pāsento Nau de rokku na chōsenjō!" (Japanese: 気合い120% ナウでロックな挑戦状!)March 6, 2003February 4, 2006

As they leave, Rock Lee appears again and challenges Sasuke to a battle, saying that he is the best Genin. At first, Sasuke cannot be bothered, but Sasuke changes his mind when Lee is challenged by Naruto, who effortlessly defeats him. He beats the living daylights out of Sasuke forcing him to get serious on the battle. Even Sasuke's Sharingan is no match for Lee's taijutsu. Before any serious harm can come to Sasuke, Lee's sensei and self-proclaimed eternal rival of Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, appears and stops the attack. After assigning Lee a punishment, Guy leaves. Lee tells Sasuke that there was another top ninja that he wante to fight and that Sasuke was meant to be a test for him, but labels Sasuke as a target from then on. Lee leaves, and Naruto pressures Sasuke about not being able to defeat Lee. Sasuke is angered by this but calms down as Team 7 leaves.

23"Genin Takedown! All Nine Rookies Face Off!"
Transliteration: "Kechirase raibaru! rūkī nainu zenin shūgō" (Japanese: 蹴散らせライバル!新人9人全員集合)March 13, 2003February 11, 2006

The remaining Genin receive their exams to become Chunin. Upon arriving at the location of the first part of the exams, Team 7 meets with Team 10 members Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi, as well as Team 8 members Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, and Kiba Inuzuka. The group is befriended by exam veteran Kabuto Yakushi, who offers the nine information on their competitors. His remarks about the Land of Sound, however, touch a nerve with the Sound Genin present, and is attacked as such. Before the fight can progress, Ibiki Morino and several Chunin appear.

24"Start Your Engines: The Chunin Exam Begins"
Transliteration: "Ikinari shikkaku? Chō-nankan no daiichi shiken" (Japanese: いきなり失格?超難関の第一試験)March 20, 2003February 18, 2006

As everyone takes their seat, Ibiki explains that the first phase of the exam will be a written test. Cheating results in the deduction of points, which in turn eventually leads to that person and their team being ejected. Everyone present realizes that cheating is necessary to pass the test, and many are ejected for cheating, while others use their unique abilities to successfully cheat. Naruto, unable to answer any of the questions, puts all his faith in the final question, which will be given fifteen minutes before the test's end.

25"The Tenth Question: All or Nothing"
Transliteration: "Deta-toko shōbu! funbari dokoro no jū monme" (Japanese: 出たとこ勝負!踏ん張りどころの10問目)March 27, 2003February 25, 2006

They are told that they do not have to take the final question, but if they don't take it,they will fail the exam.However if they take the question, and they don't answer correctly if they than they will never be able to take the exam again. Many teams leave, but Naruto gives an inspiring monologue that gives the remaining teams the courage to stay. Ibiki reveals that the question itself was a test, and those who stayed automatically pass. The remaining Genin are left to the next instructor, Anko Mitarashi, who takes them all to the Forest of Death.

26"Special Report: Live From the Forest of Death"
Transliteration: "Zettai hikken! Shi no Mori chokusen rupo! Konoha no gakkyū shinbun da kore!" (Japanese: 絶対必見!死の森直前ルポ!木ノ葉の学級新聞だコレ!)April 2, 2003March 4, 2006

The episode is an anime-exclusive episode for Konohamaru and his classmates news report starring the Chuunin in training. Before the second exam can begin, Konohamaru and his friends pull the members of Team 7 aside for interviews, where they retell the storyline to this point. They discuss the Hokages, the Rogue Ninja etc.

27"The Chunin Exam Stage 2: The Forest of Death"
Transliteration: "Daini shiken sutāto! Mawari wa minna teki darake!" (Japanese: 第二試験スタート!周りはみんな敵だらけ!)April 2, 2003April 15, 2006

Anko briefs the candidates on their goal for the second portion of the exam. All teams will be given one scroll (either heaven or earth), with the objective being to take the other scroll from another team and proceed to the castle in the centre of the forest and the next stage of the exams. The proctor hands out scrolls and opens the forest gates. As they enter, Naruto's team is attacked almost immediately.

28"Eat or Be Eaten: Panic in the Forest"
Transliteration: "Kū ka kuwareru ka! Esa ni natta Naruto" (Japanese: 喰うか喰われるか!エサになったナルト)April 9, 2003April 15, 2006

Sasuke drives away the attacking Rain Genin. A powerful gust of wind then separates Naruto from his team. Just as he reorients himself, Naruto is swallowed by a giant snake. In the meantime, Sasuke and Sakura are disabled by a Grass ninja. Before they even fight, Sasuke and Sakura have visions of their own deaths upon looking into her eyes, paralyzing them with fear. Regaining his composure, Sasuke flees with Sakura. The ninja pursues them, but Naruto, having killed the snake, arrives in time to save both of them.

29"Naruto's Counterattack: Never Give In!"
Transliteration: "Naruto hangeki! nigenēndattebayo!" (Japanese: ナルト反撃!逃げねーんだってばよ!)April 16, 2003April 15, 2006

Despite Naruto's timely appearance, Sasuke offers the grass Ninja the scroll in exchange for their lives. Sasuke then throws the scroll to the grass Ninja but Naruto intercepts it. Naruto punches Sasuke during his attempt to convince him into giving the scroll up. Naruto accusses Sasuke of being an impostor as Sasuke would never be so weak and cowardly. Meanwhile, three corpses are discovered by the proctors of the exam. The corpses belong to the original Grass Ninjas who have had their faces stolen. Proctor Anko clearly has a history with the jutsu used to rob the Ninjas faces. The grass Ninja summons a giant snake and engages Naruto. During the fight Naruto begins to utilize the chakra of the nine tailed fox. The Grass Ninja notices this during the fight and tries to end it quickly. The grass ninja believes Naruto to be defeated and moves on to the next target. Naruto stops the attack on Sasuke and once again rails at Sasuke for his lack of courage. Recognizing Naruto as the demon fox's container and that during moments of excitement the energy leaks into Naruto, the ninja suppresses the Kyuubi's chakra with a new seal and Naruto seemingly faints. Naruto's body is dropped and Sakura pins it to a tree with a Kunai in mid air. Sasuke seemingly reaches a decision to fight.

30"The Sharingan Revived: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
Transliteration: "Yomigaere Sharingan! Hissatsu: Katon Ryūka no Jutsu!" (Japanese: 蘇れ写輪眼!必殺·火遁龍火の術!)April 23, 2003April 22, 2006

Sasuke and the Grass ninja engage in combat. After a protracted battle, Sasuke traps the ninja and creates a new jutsu on the spot in the heat of battle. blast of fire to the ninja's face. However, the ninja awakens with his face partially melted off, revealing another face underneath. Extending his neck, he bites Sasuke and leaves behind a cursed seal. The ninja reveals himself to be Orochimaru, and leaves. Anko finds Orochimaru, her former teacher, and unsuccessfully tries to kill him.

31"Bushy Brow's Pledge: Undying Love and Protection"
Transliteration: "Geki mayu puratonikku! Boku wa shinu made anata o mamoru!!" (Japanese: 激まゆプラトニック!僕は死ぬまでアナタを守る!!)April 30, 2003April 29, 2006

Sakura takes care of her teammates, both of whom are still unconscious from Orochimaru's attack. The three Sound Genin that attacked Kabuto in the test room, sent by Orochimaru to kill Sasuke, observe their target from a distance, and eventually approach Sakura. Despite Sakura's best efforts, the Sound Genin evade her obstacles and prepare to attack. Rock Lee appears to protect Sakura. Though he holds his own for a while, he is eventually knocked out.

32"Sakura Blossoms!"
Transliteration: "Sakura saku! Ketsui no ushiro sugata" (Japanese: サクラ咲く!決意の後ろ姿)May 7, 2003May 6, 2006

With Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Rock Lee all unconscious, Sakura fights by herself. One of the Sound Genin, Kin Tsuchi, takes hold of her hair and ridicules her for spending so much time on her looks while giving her a bloody beating, and Sakura remembers her past with Ino Yamanaka and remembers why she grew her hair so long and so focus's on being a strong ninja rather than just an attractive one and cuts her hair to free herself from Kin's grasp. Freed, Sakura battles Zaku Abumi, though he quickly gains the advantage. Moved by Sakura's determination, Team 10, Shikamaru Narra, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi arrive and attack the Sound Genin.

33"Battle Formation: Ino-Shika-Cho!"
Transliteration: "Muteki no fōmēshon! InoShikaChō!!" (Japanese: 無敵のフォーメーション!いのシカチョウ!!)May 14, 2003May 13, 2006

Team 10 battles the Sound Genin, each using their unique techniques to battle. However, the Sound Genin regain the advantage. But suddenly, Sasuke awakens after being in a coma in the heat of battle. As Sasuke awakens, engulfed in Orochimaru's cursed seal. Sasuke, empowered by the seal, easily defeats Zaku. But Sasuke's power was ruthless and evil and almost left the Sound Ninja without an arm while having a cruel and evil smirk. Terrified by Sasuke's extremely cruel brutality, Sakura stops him before he can kill and instruct fatality on either of the Sound Genin. The Sound Genin leave a scroll and retreat.

34"Akamaru Trembles: Gaara's Cruel Strength!"
Transliteration: "Akamaru bikkuri! Gaara, Kyōi no Jitsuryoku" (Japanese: 赤丸ビックリ!我愛羅, 驚異の実力)May 21, 2003May 20, 2006

As Team 7, Team 10, and Team Guy recover, Team 8 witnesses Gaara mercilessly kill a team of Rain Genin. Although Gaara prepares to turn his attention to Team 8, his siblings persuade him to leave them alone. Gaara's team beats the previous record for getting to the tower by a gigantic margin, and none of them are even remotely injured.

35"The Scroll's Secret: No Peeking Allowed"
Transliteration: "Nozoki mi genkin! Maki mono no himitsu" (Japanese: のぞき見厳禁!巻き物の秘密)May 28, 2003May 27, 2006

Kabuto Yakushi, separated from his team, accompanies Team 7 to the tower in the center of the forest. Along the way, the group encounters a disorienting genjutsu set by the teammates of the Rain Genin Sasuke had earlier defeated. By the time they realize that they are not getting any closer to the center of the forest, they are attacked by a number of clones.

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42"The Ultimate Battle: Ino vs Sakura, Cha!"
Transliteration: "Besuto batoru wa shānnarō!!" (Japanese: ベストバトルはしゃーんなろー!!)July 23, 2003July 15, 2006

Sakura and Ino are evenly matched. They both use illusion clon jutsu's, chakra string jutsu's and others. Finally, Ino tries a desperate move, her Mind Body Switch Technique. She succeeds and takes control over Sakura's body. As she prepares to force Sakura to forfeit, Naruto, believing in Sakura has her teammate, and cheers Sakura on and like a voice of reason or a spiritual hand, Naruto's cheering voice awakens Sakura and inadvertently awakens her Inner Sakura, who forces Ino out of her body in a brutal and physical force. Both drained of their chakra, Ino and Sakura decide to end the battle with a giant final Cha Blow. They dash towards each other with all they're power inserted into One fist each. The rivals both at the same with a punch on their both of their faces each and knock each other out, resulting in a double knockout tie, and eliminating both from the finals.

44"Akamaru Unleashed! Who's Top Dog Now?"
Transliteration: "Akamaru sansen! Makeinu wa docchi da?" (Japanese: 赤丸参戦!!負け犬はどっちだ?)August 6, 2003July 29, 2006

Kiba Usually fights with his ninja dog due to his clan's tradition, but because he looks down at Naruto, he tries to finish him off in one painful knock-out blow. But he soon discovers that Naruto is not an easy person to finish. Due to Kiba fighting with his dog, Akamaru, Naruto complains that this is against the rules and he is at a disadvantage. Although he takes advantage of Kiba's overconfidence, Kiba and Akamaru consume special pills that double their chakra. With a combination of efforts, they overwhelm Naruto with their special signature jutsu into they're jutsu barrage.

45"Surprise Attack! Naruto's Secret Weapon! Uzumaki Barrage!"
Transliteration: "Hinata sekimen! Kankyaku anguri, Naruto no oku no te. Uzumaki Rendan!" (Japanese: ヒナタ赤面! 観客あんぐり, ナルトの奥の手)August 13, 2003August 5, 2006

Using the Transformation Technique, Naruto tricks Kiba into believing that he had hit Akamaru and possibly sent him in a coma and then, enraged, Kiba accidentally knocks out the real Akamaru trying to get Naruto. Kiba manages to knock Akamaru unconscious leaving just Uzumaki and Inuzuka. Naruto, however, is still at a disadvantage due to Kiba's pill-enhanced chakra and superior speed. With Kiba's speed, Kiba gets behind Naruto as he was almost finished chakra charging. But Naruto says that he wished he could say he planned it after he farts in Kiba's face while attempting a sneak attack behind him. Kiba can smell 1,000 times better than any other ninja that is not from the Inuzuka, because of this Kiba is affected by this 1,000 times worse than a usual non-Inuzuka would handle it. Naruto then knocks Kiba out with a barrage of clones.

46"Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!"
Transliteration: "Byakugan kaigen!! Uchiki na Hinata no daitan ketsui!" (Japanese: 白眼開眼!!内気なヒナタの大胆決意!)August 20, 2003August 12, 2006

The next match is Hinata Hyuga against Neji Hyuga, her cousin from the branch house of the Hyuga clan. Neji intimidates and berates his cousin, and she seems ready to forfeit. Tired of his taunts, Naruto cheers Hinata on, giving her the strength to fight back. Hinata and Neji fight each other using Gentle Fist style, which uses bursts of chakra to damage the opponent's internal organs.

47"A Failure Stands Tall!"
Transliteration: "Akogare no hito no me no mae de!!" (Japanese: 憧れの人の目の前で!!)August 27, 2003August 19, 2006

Neji reveals that he had been toying with Hinata, and he disables her ability to use chakra with the Gentle Fist style. Hinata, inspired by Naruto, refuses to give up. She tells Neji that she believes that he is suffering more from fighting his destiny. Angered, Neji attempts a fatal blow, but four observing Jonin halt him. Hinata collapses into cardiac arrest shortly after, and Naruto vows to avenge her.

48"Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!"
Transliteration: "Gaara funsai!! Wakasa da! Pawā da! Bakuhatsu da!" (Japanese: 我愛羅粉砕!!若さだ!パワーだ!爆発だ!)September 3, 2003August 26, 2006

The next set of matchups is Rock Lee against Gaara. At first, Lee's Strong Fist taijutsu is ineffective against Gaara's wall of sand that automatically rises to protect him. Lee then removes the heavy leg weights he was wearing, drastically increasing his speed and allowing him to bypass Gaara's defense. Lee then uses his Primary Lotus, but only succeeds in destroying a clone made of sand.

49"Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!"
Transliteration: "Nekketsu ochikobore! Tsuini Sakuretsu, kindan no ōgi!" (Japanese: 熱血落ちこぼれ!遂に炸裂, 禁断の奥義!)September 10, 2003September 2, 2006

Gaara reappears and attacks Lee, who is weakened from using his Primary Lotus again. Lee recovers by opening the Second Gate, shocking the Jonin observers in the audience. He then proceeds to open the third and fourth gates, shocking Gaara.

50"The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born!"
Transliteration: "Aa Rokku Rī! Kore ga otoko no ikizama yo!!" (Japanese: 嗚呼ロック·リー!これが男の生き様よ!!)September 17, 2003September 9, 2006

Lee's increased speed overwhelms Gaara's sand defenses. Lee opens the Fifth Gate and uses his most powerful attack, Hidden Lotus. Lee's power, accuracy, strength and speed increase outstandingly, allowing Lee to inflict extreme injuries on Garra with a 5th gate barrage of his. Unfortunately for Lee, Gaara survives by softening his fall with sand and uses his sand coffin to crush Lee's left arm and leg. Gaara moves his sand to finish Lee, but Guy blocks the final attack. Lee, though unconscious due to the pain and covered in blood, rises to continue the battle, his desire to win fueling his broken body. At the end of the match, Rock Lee is crippled to the extent that he is unable to fight again. Guy regrets teaching Lee such dangerous techniques, but vacates the ring for the final match between Choji Akimichi and Dosu Kinuta

53"Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!"
Transliteration: "Aiyashibaraku! Ero-sennin tōjō!" (Japanese: あいやしばらく!エロ仙人登場!)October 8, 2003September 30, 2006

After Jiraiya knocks out Ebisu, Naruto is left without a tutor. Naruto manages to convince Jiraiya to tutor him by using The Sexy Technique. While Jiraiya oversees Naruto's training, he quickly realizes that Naruto is the container of the demon fox. Jiraiya unlocks the seal that Orochimaru had placed on Naruto in the forest, and Naruto quickly grasps the concept of walking on water. Afterwards, Jiraiya speaks with Naruto about his two kinds of chakra.

54"Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage!"
Transliteration: "Ero-sennin jikiden Kuchiyose no Jutsu dattebayo!!" (Japanese: エロ仙人直伝 口寄せの術だってばよ!!)October 15, 2003October 7, 2006

That night, Dosu Kinuta, a finalist for the Chunin Exams, attempts to assassinate Gaara, but Gaara quickly kills him. Observing from a distance, Baki and Kabuto Yakushi confer about the planned invasion of Konohagakure by Sunagakure and Otogakure; their conversation is overheard by Hayate Gekko. Despite the latter's swordsmanship and skills, he is quickly dispatched by Baki. The next day, Naruto resumes his training with Jiraiya. He signs a scroll that will allow him to summon toads. Upon trying to summon a toad, Naruto only manages to summon a tadpole.

56"Live or Die! Risk It All to Win It All!"
Transliteration: "Sei ka shi ka!? Menkyo kaiden wa inochi kake!" (Japanese: 生か死か!?免許皆伝は命懸け!)October 29, 2003October 28, 2006

Jiraiya realizes that Naruto's training is taking too long, and decides to use drastic measures. Knowing that Naruto can only tap into the demon fox's chakra during life-or-death situations, Jiraiya takes Naruto to a local chasm and throws him in. Unable to stop himself from falling, Naruto enters his subconsciousness and converses with the demon fox, asking for a donation of its strength. The demon fox complies, and Naruto manages to summon Gamabunta to stop his descent.

57"He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!"
Transliteration: "Tonda! Haneta! Mogutta! Gama oyabun tōjō!!" (Japanese: 飛んだ!跳ねた!潜った!ガマ親分登場!!)November 5, 2003November 4, 2006

Gamabunta is angry that he has been summoned in a pit and even angrier that Naruto is sitting on top of his head. Although Naruto informs Gamabunta that he summoned him, Gamabunta does not believe him. Determined to prove himself, Naruto rides atop Gamabunta's head until sunset, while Gamabunta tries to shake him off. Naruto falls shortly before sunset, but he earns Gamabunta's respect in the process. Gamabunta then takes Naruto to the hospital to rest.

59"The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!"
Transliteration: "Mō retsu Mō Tsui Mō Dasshu Hansen kaishi dattebayo" (Japanese: モー烈 モー追 モーダッシュ 本選開始だってばよ)November 19, 2003November 18, 2006

On the day of the finals, Naruto makes his way to the arena. Along the way, he encounters and converses with Hinata Hyuga. Hinata reassures him of his talents, removing any doubts he had about the finals. Naruto thanks Hinata and goes on his way. As he gets closer to the arena, Naruto meets Konohamaru, who tries to use a number of shortcuts to help Naruto get to the arena faster. The shortcuts end up being ineffective and time consuming, Naruto makes it to the stadium late but can still enter.

60"Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Transliteration: "Byakugan bāsasu Kage Bunshin! Ore wa zettē katsu!!" (Japanese: 白眼VS影分身!オレはゼってー勝つ!!)November 26, 2003November 18, 2006

Naruto begins his match with Neji Hyuga, who Naruto promised to defeat a month earlier during the preliminaries. Since taijutsu proves ineffective, Naruto creates a large number of shadow clones. Though Neji is able to destroy them all, Naruto creates more.

61"Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot!"
Transliteration: "Shikaku zero! Mō hitotsu no zettai Bōgyo" (Japanese: 死角ゼロ!もうひとつの絶対防御)December 3, 2003November 18, 2006

Naruto creates more shadow clones, and this time manages to sneak up on Neji. Before he can land a blow, Neji uses a powerful defensive technique, then follows up with another technique to block Naruto's chakra. Even though he can no longer fight, Naruto refuses to give up, and berates Neji over how he treated Hinata. Neji then reveals the history of the Hyuga clan and how his father was killed to save the life of his uncle. He reaffirms his belief in the unchanging nature of one's destiny.

62"A Failure's True Power"
Transliteration: "Ochikobore no Sokojikara!" (Japanese: 落ちこぼれの底力!)December 10, 2003November 18, 2006

Determined to prove Neji wrong, Naruto draws on the demon fox's strength, surprising many of the older ninja present with his ability to use the fox's chakra. Following an explosive clash between the two, Naruto manages to defeat Neji through the use of a shadow clone as a decoy. After telling Neji to stop putting so much faith in fate, Naruto is declared the winner.

63"Hit It or Quit It: The Final Rounds Get Complicated!"
Transliteration: "Shikkaku!? Kiken! Maedaoshi! Haran bukumi no daihonsen!" (Japanese: 失格!?キケン!前倒し!波乱含みの大本戦)December 17, 2003November 25, 2006

When Neji is taken away to recover, his uncle tries to tell Neji the truth of his father's death, saying that he had given up his life to save his brother, not a member of the main house. Neji is unbelieving, but his reading his father's final letter and seeing his uncle bowing for forgiveness causes him to realize the truth. Meanwhile, the match between Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara is postponed due to Sasuke's absence, and the match between Shino Aburame and Kankuro is set to start. Kankuro forfeits, and the next combatants, Shikamaru and Temari, go down to the stadium.

64"Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy!"
Transliteration: "Kumo wa ii naa... yaru ki zero no otoko" (Japanese: 雲はいいなあ...やる気ゼロの男)December 24, 2003December 2, 2006

Though initially unwilling, Shikamaru fights Temari because he refuses to lose to a girl (and was pushed off the waiting room by Naruto). Shikamaru quickly studies the arena and its elements and comes up with a plan. Despite this, Temari has seen Shikamaru's primary attack in action and knows how it works. However, Shikamaru's strategies enable him to capture Temari with his jutsu, but he forfeits due to his lack of chakra and unwillingness to hit a girl.

65"Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand"
Transliteration: "Gekitotsu! Konoha mai Suna ugomeku toki" (Japanese: 激突!木ノ葉舞い砂うごめく瞬間)December 31, 2003December 9, 2006

With Sasuke and Gaara's match needing to start, the Third Hokage sets a time limit for Sasuke to arrive. Sasuke arrives at the last minute with Kakashi Hatake. Meanwhile, Gaara kills a pair of ninjas who are attempting to fix the match on his way to enter the arena.

66"Bushy Brow's Jutsu: Sasuke Style!"
Transliteration: "Arashi o yobu otoko!! Sasuke no Gejimayu-ryū Taijutsu!" (Japanese: 嵐を呼ぶ男!!サスケのゲジマユ流体術!)January 14, 2004December 16, 2006

Sasuke's enhanced speed and taijutsu skills enable him to bypass Gaara's sand-based defenses with ease, as Rock Lee did previously. Determined to kill Sasuke, Gaara retreats inside a sphere of sand and begins to transform.

67"Late for the Show, but Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!"
Transliteration: "Date ni okureta wake janai! Kyūkyoku ōgi - Chidori tanjō!!" (Japanese: だてに遅れたわけじゃない!究極奥義·千鳥誕生!!)January 14, 2004December 23, 2006

To break through Gaara's defense, Sasuke uses his new jutsu, Chidori. With it, Sasuke is able to pierce Gaara's shield, stopping his transformation. At that moment, Kabuto Yakushi uses a genjutsu to put the audience to sleep, signaling the start of the invasion of Konoha.

68"Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!"
Transliteration: ""Konoha Kuzushi" Shidou!" (Japanese: 「木ノ葉崩し」始動!)January 28, 2004January 6, 2007

Revealing himself, Orochimaru takes the Third Hokage hostage as the Sound Four creates a barrier to allow them to fight without interruption. Meanwhile, invading Sound and Sand ninja infiltrate Konoha, and battles begin breaking out across the village. Kankuro and Temari carry Gaara from the village so that he can recover, and Sasuke in pursuit of them. Preoccupied with fending off the invading forces, Kakashi instructs Sakura, who had managed to repel the sleep-inducing genjutsu, to wake Naruto and Shikamaru.

69"Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!"
Transliteration: "Matte mashita! A-ranku ninmu dattebayo!!" (Japanese: 待ってました!Aランク任務だってばよ!!)February 4, 2004January 13, 2007

Once Naruto and Shikamaru awaken (the later actually faked sleep), Kakashi summons Pakkun to assist them in tracking down Sasuke. Meanwhile, Orochimaru begins his battle with his former sensei, the Third Hokage. Both display powerful techniques in what the observing ANBU describe as a Kage-level battle. Orochimaru resurrects the First and Second Hokage to fight the Third. The risen Hokage apologize to their former student as Orochimaru prepares them for combat.

70"A Shirker's Call to Action: Layabout No More!"
Transliteration: "Nigegoshi nanbaa wan Mendokuse~ ga yarukkyanee!!" (Japanese: 逃げ腰NO.1 めんどくせーがやろっきゃねえ!!)February 11, 2004January 20, 2007

As Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Pakkun pursue Sasuke, it soon becomes apparent that they're being followed by a group of nine Sound ninja. Shikamaru volunteers to stall them to buy the others time and falls back. Once the Sound ninja get close enough, Shikamaru traps them with his shadow, though he finds that he has only captured eight. Attempting to kill the eight, Shikamaru discovers the ninth's location, but lacks the chakra to trap him. As his shadow recedes and the eight freed ninja prepare to kill Shikamaru, Asuma Sarutobi, Shikamaru's sensei, arrives and defeats all the Sound ninja, saving Shikamaru.

71"An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!"
Transliteration: "Kokon musō! "Hokage" toiu reberu no tatakai" (Japanese: 古今無双!「火影」というレベルの戦い)February 18, 2004January 27, 2007

The Hokage battle begins, and all three Kages exchange varying elemental attacks. To help him in the uneven fight, the Third Hokage summons Enma and has him transform into a staff. In response, Orochimaru brings out his Kusanagi sword. The Third is repelled by the First and Second, and he discovers that they cannot be damaged in their present state. Orochimaru then shows the Third the fruits of his quest to gain immortality. Peeling away his face, Orochimaru reveals the face of a girl whose body he has taken; Orochimaru's key to living forever is to take the bodies of others to extend his lifespan.

72"A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!"
Transliteration: "Hokage no ayamachi Kamen ni shita no sukao" (Japanese: 火影の過ち 仮面の下の素顔)February 25, 2004January 27, 2007

Sasuke finally manages to catch up to Gaara, but Temari stalls him so that Kankuro and Gaara can escape. He easily dispatches her and resumes his chase. At the Hokage battle, Orochimaru reveals his intentions of stealing the body of Sasuke Uchiha. The Third regrets not killing Orochimaru at a prior occasion. Determined to rectify this error, the Hokage musters up his chakra and summons shadow clones, in preparation for a final attack.

73"Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal!"
Transliteration: "Kinjutsu ōgi! "Shiki Fūin"" (Japanese: 禁術奥義!「屍鬼封印」)March 3, 2004February 3, 2007

As the battles across Konoha rage on, the Third's clones use the Dead Demon Consuming Seal to seal away the souls of the First and Second Hokage. Turning his attention to Orochimaru, the Third begins to seal his soul as well, but is hindered as Orochimaru's Kusanagi stabs him in the back. Meanwhile, Sasuke again catches up with Gaara, and Kankuro prepares to hold Sasuke off while Gaara escapes with his sister. Before they can begin, Shino Aburame arrives to fight Kankuro, allowing Sasuke to proceed.

74"Astonishing Truth: Gaara's Identity Emerges!"
Transliteration: "Kyōkaku! Gaara no Shōtai" (Japanese: 驚愕!我愛羅の正体)March 10, 2004February 10, 2007

Leaving Shino to deal with Kankuro, Sasuke continues his pursuit of Gaara. Kankuro attacks Shino with his puppet, using its many hidden weapons to catch Shino by surprise. Shino is able to dodge the attacks through the use of his destruction bugs, but eventually makes the mistake of inhaling some of the puppet's poison gas. As the battle goes on, Shino directs his bugs to Kankuro's location. They consume his chakra once they get there, causing Kankuro to collapse. The battle won, Shino also collapses due to Kankuro's poison. Sasuke catches up with Gaara as Shino's battle ends, and the two resume their match.

75"Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!"
Transliteration: "Genkai o koete... Sasuke no ketsudan!!" (Japanese: 限界を越えて... サスケの決断!!)March 17, 2004February 17, 2007

Gaara begins transforming into Shukaku, dramatically increasing his strength and speed. Sasuke uses his Chidori to slice Gaara's arm off, but the pain only makes Gaara more determined and excited to kill Sasuke. Unable to use the Chidori a third time, Sasuke is forced to use his cursed seal so that he can attack Gaara again. This fails to defeat him, and Sasuke collapses due to the use of the cursed seal. As Gaara prepares to inflict the finishing blow, Naruto repels the attack with a kick. Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun arrive ready to help Sasuke.

76"An Assassin of the Moonlit Night"
Transliteration: "Tsukiyo no ansatsusha" (Japanese: 月夜の暗殺者)March 24, 2004February 24, 2007

Gaara tries to attack Sasuke again but is covered by Sakura who got in the way, Gaara pushes Sakura out of the way while Naruto grabs Sasuke's body and saves him. Gaara remembers his childhood with his uncle Yashamaru. While Yashamaru had for many years been the only person who seemed to care for Gaara, Yashamaru in reality hated him. Yashamaru then attacked him, forcing Gaara to fight the only person who ever loved him.

77"Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of Gaara!"
Transliteration: "Hikari to Yami Gaara to iu na" (Japanese: 光と闇 我愛羅という名)March 31, 2004March 3, 2007

As Gaara continues to reminisce about Yashamaru, he remembers Yashamaru's statement and the suicide bombing. Though Gaara survived the blast - thanks to the sand shield - he lost the only person who ever cared for him. From that point on, Gaara came to love only himself and started living off of killing others. Returning to the present, Gaara keeps his grip on Sakura with his sand claw choking her to death. Gaara, feeling deranged, asks Naruto to play a game with him saying that if he can beat him, Sakura will be set free. Determined to save Sakura at all costs and win her affection, an enraged Naruto violently attacks Gaara and they engage in battle.

78"Naruto's Ninja Handbook"
Transliteration: "Bakuhatsu! Korezo Naruto ninpōchō~~!!" (Japanese: 爆発!これぞナルト忍法帖〜〜っ!!)April 7, 2004March 10, 2007

Naruto has been afraid of Gaara ever since he met him. But now, Naruto's determination is awakened truly along with the will of fire. Rejuvenated, Naruto uses techniques from his Ninja Handbook scroll. Naruto unleases new and improved Naruto Uzumaki Barrage consisting of 2,000 shadow clones. About 11-20 of them kick Gaara into the air and punch Gaara on every inch of his body before 2 shadow clones deliver a finishing blow to the barrage. Naruto attempts a 2nd attack twice as powerful, with kicks. To fend off the attack, Gaara completes his Shukaku transformation. Gaara tries to crush Naruto with his sand. Thinking of Sakura and his friends, Naruto uses his own chakra to summon Gamabunta. Gaara forces himself to sleep and allows the spirit of the Shukaku to take over his body. Needing to get close to Shukaku to wake Gaara up, Naruto and Gamabunta transform into a giant nine-tailed fox to fight.

79"Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light"
Transliteration: "Rimitto bucchigiri! ~Hikari to Yami~" (Japanese: リミットぶっちぎり! 〜光と闇〜)April 14, 2004March 17, 2007

As the transformed Gamabunta holds Shukaku in place, Naruto awakens Gaara. Tapping into the demon fox's power again, Naruto headbutts Gaara and destroys Shukaku's form. Across Konoha, the village's ninja, including the parents of many of the Genin, begin the counterattack of the invading forces. At the site of the Third's battle with Orochimaru, the Third realizes that he does not have enough strength left to fully seal Orochimaru's soul, and instead opts to seal his former pupil's arms. He does so, robbing Orochimaru of his ability to use jutsu. Wishing his student a fond farewell, the Third dies reciting one last proverb. At this time Naruto and Gaara jump at each other, and Naruto succeeds in throwing the winning blow.

80"The Third Hokage, Forever..."
Transliteration: "Sandaime yo, towa ni......!!" (Japanese: 三代目よ, 永久に......!!)April 21, 2004March 24, 2007

Critically damaged, Orochimaru calls off the invasion and flees the village with his forces. In the forest, Naruto and Gaara both lay on the ground, devoid of chakra. Naruto sympathizes with Gaara for his childhood, but threatens to kill Gaara if he should ever bring harm to his friends again. Realizing that Naruto's strength came from the desire to protect others, Gaara begins to reshape his view of the world as his siblings take him home, and apologizes to Temari and Kankuro. The next day, the ninja of Konoha mourn the deaths of those who died during the invasion, especially the Third Hokage, and ponder the meaning of the Third Hokage's sacrifice.

81"Return of the Morning Mist"
Transliteration: "Asagiri no kikyō" (Japanese: 朝霧の帰郷)April 28, 2004April 7, 2007

After the Third Hokage's death, Jiraiya is approached by the village's elders, who offer him the position of Fifth Hokage. He declines, saying that Tsunade would be a much better candidate for the title. He offers to find her for Konoha and asks that he be allowed to take Naruto with him. Meanwhile, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki enter Konoha, and are confronted by Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi. Itachi and Kisame quickly gain the advantage in battle, but Kakashi comes to their rescue at the last moment.

82"Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs Sharingan!"
Transliteration: "Sharingan tai Sharingan!!" (Japanese: 写輪眼VS写輪眼!!)May 5, 2004April 7, 2007

Kakashi and Itachi exchange blows, each being very proficient with the Sharingan. Itachi neutralizes Kakashi with his Tsukuyomi. As Kakashi struggles to remain standing, he asks Itachi why he's returned to Konoha. Itachi replies that they're after Naruto, which Kakashi elaborates as meaning they want the demon fox for their organization Akatsuki. Angered that Kakashi knows of their organization, Itachi instructs Kisame to kill Asuma and Kurenai, but to bring Kakashi with him. Before Kisame can do so, Might Guy arrives. Itachi states he did not go to Konoha to "start a war", so he and Kisame left the battle.

83"Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!"
Transliteration: "Ō, nō~! Jiraiya no jonan, Naruto no sainan" (Japanese: おお, のォ〜っ!自来也の女難, ナルトの災難)May 12, 2004April 14, 2007

Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai take an unconscious Kakashi home to rest, where they decide Sasuke should not know of Itachi's return. Despite their wishes, Sasuke finds out, and also learns that Itachi is after Naruto. Determined to kill Itachi for murdering the Uchiha clan, Sasuke rushes out to find Naruto, though discovers that Naruto has already left the village with Jiraiya. In another town, Naruto sits in a hotel room while Jiraiya tries to pick up women. After someone knocks on his door, Naruto opens it to reveal Itachi and Kisame standing before him.

84"Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!"
Transliteration: "Unare Chidori, Hoero Sasuke!" (Japanese: 唸れ千鳥 吠えろサスケ!)May 19, 2004April 21, 2007

In a flashback, Sasuke 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, 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 before he can do so and proceeds to attack. Jiraiya arrives to block the attack.

85"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, 2004April 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 that Naruto and Jiraiya to find Tsunade, hoping that she will be able to heal Lee's injuries. They reassure him, and Naruto and Jiraiya set out to resume their search.

86"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, 2004May 5, 2007

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"Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon!"
Transliteration: "Konjō!!! Warero mizufūsen" (Japanese: 根性!!!割れろ水風船)June 9, 2004May 12, 2007

Soon after his training begins, Naruto finds himself unable to make any progress. After asking Jiraiya for tips, Naruto decides he'll master the jutsu in three days. Jiraiya doubts the likelihood that Naruto will live up this promise, explaining that the technique's creator, the Fourth Hokage, took three years to develop the Rasengan in its current form. 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. The second stage requires the bursting of a rubber ball. Naruto tries for weeks and eventually manages to burst the ball but with great struggle and pain.

88"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, 2004May 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 is able to complete this stage as well. Elsewhere, Tsunade, 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"An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade's Heart"
Transliteration: "Hamon" (Japanese: 波紋)June 23, 2004May 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 arms, as the Third's seal on them is causing him excruciating pain and making them unusable, leaving him unable to use techniques. Although she has no intentions of helping Orochimaru due to his killing the Third, Tsunade decides to consider the matter when he offers to revive her dead brother, Nawaki, and lover, Dan.

90"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, 2004June 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. Naruto, enraged that she would disrespect the title of Hokage and those who have held its position, challenges Tsunade to a battle. The two step outside, but Tsunade quickly proves to be far out of Naruto's league. Unwilling to give up, Naruto readies his imperfect Rasengan for an attack.

91"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, 2004June 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'll 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, intent on winning the bet with Tsunade.

92"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, 2004June 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 her dead brother and lover. Once a week goes by, Naruto appears to have been unsuccessful and lays unconscious with fatigue. Jiraiya, still uncertain about the situation with Orochimaru & Tsunade, decides to take her out for drinks & reminds her about the bet with Naruto. While they're 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 Orochimaru's assistant, Kabuto Yakushi.

93"Breakdown! The Deal Is Off!"
Transliteration: "Kōshō Ketsuretsu!" (Japanese: 交渉決裂!!)July 28, 2004June 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, they decide to take her by force, and Kabuto and Tsunade 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, though he slices his palm, paralyzing her due to her fear of blood. 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"Attack! Naruto's Fury of the Rasengan!"
Transliteration: "Kurae! Ikari no Rasengan" (Japanese: くらえ!怒りの螺旋丸)August 4, 2004July 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 have defeated Kabuto, Naruto passes out after mastering the new jutsu.

95"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, 2004July 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"Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!"
Transliteration: "San sukumi no tatakai" (Japanese: 三すくみの戦い)August 11, 2004July 14, 2007

Katsuyu and Gamabunta double-team Manda, though the latter is able to hold his own. Using her inhuman strength, Tsunade is able to pin Manda down and delivers a finishing blow to Orochimaru. Deciding to use his last resort to regain the use of his arms, Orochimaru retreats with Kabuto, 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"Kidnapped! Naruto's Hot Springs Adventure!!"
Transliteration: "Naruto no yukemuri chin dōchū" (Japanese: ナルトの湯けむり珍道中)August 18, 2004July 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"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, 2004July 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 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"Will of Fire Still Burns"
Transliteration: "Hi no ishi o tsugu mono" (Japanese: 火の意志を継ぐもの)September 1, 2004August 4, 2007

Konohamaru, the Third Hokage's grandson, is unable to accept Tsunade as his grandfather's successor and does what he can 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"Sensei and Student: The Bond of the Shinobi"
Transliteration: "Nekketsu shitei no kizuna ~Otoko ga ninpō wo tsuranuku toki~" (Japanese: 熱血師弟の絆〜男が忍法貫くとき〜)September 8, 2004August 17, 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 51%, 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.

107"The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke"
Transliteration: "Omae to tatakaitai! Tsui ni 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, 2004October 13, 2007

Due to the injuries he received in the Land of Tea, Sasuke is stuck in the hospital recovering. 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. In this episode Shikamaru Nara is promoted to Chunin. Also, Lee tells Tsunade he accepts the operation.

108"Bitter Rivals and Broken Bonds"
Transliteration: "Mienai kiretsu" (Japanese: 見えない亀裂)November 10, 2004October 20, 2007

As Naruto and Sasuke are about to clash, Kakashi Hatake appears and deflects them into differing water towers. Sasuke finds Naruto's tower to be considerably worse off, and only comes to envy Naruto's strength more. Kakashi takes Sasuke aside and lectures him about not attacking friends. Sasuke said if anyone get killed who means something to him maybe he listen, 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 he he asked her a long time ago when they were first assinged 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"An Invitation from the Sound"
Transliteration: "Oto no izanai" (Japanese: 音の誘い)November 17, 2004October 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 lended himself 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"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, 2004October 27, 2007

When Sakura awakens, she informs Tsunade 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"Sound vs. Leaf"
Transliteration: "Sesshoku ~Oto Yonin Shū no jitsuryoku~" (Japanese: 接触〜音四人衆の実力〜)November 24, 2004October 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"Squad Mutiny: Everything Falls Apart!"
Transliteration: "Ikinari nakamare!? Shikamaru shōtai daipinchi" (Japanese: イキナリ仲間割れ!?シカマル小隊大ピンチ)December 1, 2004November 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 manages to break out of the dome, freeing the team.

113"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, 2004November 3, 2007

Freed, 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"Goodbye 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, 2004November 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"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, 2004November 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"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, 2005November 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 is able to repel 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"Losing is Not an Option!"
Transliteration: "Makerarenai riyū" (Japanese: 負けられない理由)January 5, 2005November 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 is able to block 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"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, 2005December 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 engages them in battle.

119"Miscalculation: A New Enemy Appears!"
Transliteration: "Shissaku! Aratanaru teki" (Japanese: 失策!新たなる敵)January 19, 2005December 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"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, 2005December 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 too begins his battle, creating a great deal of shadow clones with which to attack Kimimaro, though Kimimaro is able to defeat the clones by the dozens. 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 are able to 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"To Each His Own Battle"
Transliteration: "Sorezore no tatakai" (Japanese: それぞれの闘い)February 9, 2005December 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. Naruto, meanwhile, is unable to make a dent in Kimimaro, and his shadow clones are still rapidly defeated before they can land a blow. Shikamaru, elsewhere, believes to have picked up on the movements of Tayuya's creatures, though she quickly has them switch actions before Shikamaru can act.

122"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, 2005December 15, 2007

Despite Tayuya's efforts, Shikamaru has devised a plan to defeat her creatures. Using a flash bang to lengthen the shadows in the area, Shikamaru captures the creatures 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"The Leaf's Handsome Devil!"
Transliteration: "Konoha no aoki yajū kenzan!" (Japanese: 木ノ葉の碧き野獣見参!)February 23, 2005December 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 go on ahead. 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"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, 2005December 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. Lee, however, 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"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, 2005December 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. Even receded from their cursed-seal state, Ukon underestimates Kankuro and his puppet, but the latter is soon able to trap both Ukon and Sakon in a second of his puppets and kill 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"Showdown: Gaara vs. Kimimaro!"
Transliteration: "Saikyō taiketsu! Gaara tai Kimimaro!!" (Japanese: 最強対決!我愛羅VS君麻呂!!)March 16, 2005December 29, 2007

Lee, wanting to assist Gaara in his fight, attacks Kimimaro, but his body's too weak and Gaara tells him he's only getting in the way. Gaara unveils his new techniques, but Kimimaro continues to reapproach him, much to Lee and Gaara's dismay. All the while Naruto continues his relentless search for Sasuke.

127"Vengeful Strike! The Bracken Dance"
Transliteration: "Shūnen no ichigeki Sawarabi no Mai" (Japanese: 執念の一撃!早蕨の舞)March 30, 2005December 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, which Gaara is able to help Lee avoid 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. Elsewhere, Naruto has caught up to Sasuke.

128"A Cry on Deaf Ears"
Transliteration: "Todokanai sakebi" (Japanese: 届かない叫び)March 30, 2005January 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, 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 doges it and uses Dragon Flame Jutsu and sends it towards Naruto.

129"Brothers: Distance Among the Uchiha"
Transliteration: "Itachi to Sasuke tōsugiru sonzai" (Japanese: 兄と弟 遠すぎる存在)April 6, 2005January 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 captains. Fugaku Uchiha always favored Itachi best. Sasuke tries to best Itachi, without success, until Itachi begins to become more distant from the clan, and started to rebel against the Uchihas.

130"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, 2005January 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 foot steps. 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"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, 2005January 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 murdered. 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 wasn't 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.

132"For a Friend"
Transliteration: "Tomo yo!" (Japanese: 親友よ!)April 27, 2005January 19, 2008

Kakashi learns of Sasuke's defection and immediately goes after him. Meanwhile, believing Naruto to be his closest friend, Sasuke prepares to kill him, finding the loss of Naruto to be an acceptable price for the Mangekyo Sharingan. Naruto's Rasengan and Sasuke's Chidori clash, though neither is capable of overpowering the other. Activating his cursed seal in order to gain the upper hand, Sasuke uses his Chidori to pierce through Naruto, just missing his heart. While Sasuke thinks the battle to be won, the demon fox's chakra begins to envelop Naruto and the wound Sasuke inflicted starts to heal. Infused with the demon fox's strength and now willing to break Sasuke's body in order to bring him home, Naruto attacks.

133"A Plea From a Friend"
Transliteration: "Namida no hōkō! Omae wa ore no tomodachi da" (Japanese: 涙の咆哮!オマエはオレの友達だ)May 4, 2005January 19, 2008

Naruto's newfound power overwhelms Sasuke, and his attempts at fighting Naruto off prove ineffective. It is not until his Sharingan fully develops that he is able to use his taijutsu to fend off Naruto, as well as a multitude of clones, and land a devastating blow. Needing more strength to fight, Naruto calls upon even more of the demon fox's chakra, which surrounds him and gives him the appearance of a one-tailed fox. This shroud acts as a shield, and Sasuke's attacks are quickly dispersed before reaching Naruto; the tangible chakra also acts as a potent weapon, negating the Sharingan's prediction abilities and allowing Naruto to attack from afar by extending the chakra into a claw-like attack. As the demon fox-form continues its onslaught, Sasuke is put on the defensive, forcing him to advance his cursed seal to its final level to compensate.

134"The End of Tears"
Transliteration: "Namida ame no ketsumatsu" (Japanese: 涙雨の結末)May 11, 2005January 26, 2008

With Naruto and Sasuke at their peaks of power, the two prepare their final attacks. Naruto creates a demon fox-fueled Rasengan, and Sasuke readies a cursed seal-powered Chidori. Their attacks ready, they fly at each other and their attacks clash, creating a dome of explosive energy around them. Within the dome, the two deal final blows. As the dome disperses, Sasuke stands over a defeated Naruto. Refusing to follow the same path as his brother and also remembering what Naruto means to him, Sasuke decides to gain power his own way, and heads to Orochimaru. As Kakashi carries Naruto away, a mysterious member of the Akatsuki appears from the ground.

134"The End of Tears"
Transliteration: "Namida ame no ketsumatsu" (Japanese: 涙雨の結末)May 11, 2005January 26, 2008

With Naruto and Sasuke at their peaks of power, the two prepare their final attacks. Naruto creates a demon fox-fueled Rasengan, and Sasuke readies a cursed seal-powered Chidori. Their attacks ready, they fly at each other and their attacks clash, creating a dome of explosive energy around them. Within the dome, the two deal final blows. As the dome disperses, Sasuke stands over a defeated Naruto. Refusing to follow the same path as his brother and also remembering what Naruto means to him, Sasuke decides to gain power his own way, and heads to Orochimaru. As Kakashi carries Naruto away, a mysterious member of the Akatsuki appears from the ground.

135"The Promise That Could Not Be Kept"
Transliteration: "Mamorenakatta yakusoku" (Japanese: 守れなかった約束)May 18, 2005January 26, 2008

The retrieval team is brought back to Konoha where, despite the severity of their injuries, all fully recover. When Naruto comes to, he apologizes to Sakura for not living up to his promise and bringing Sasuke back. However, she says that he'll do it someday, going on to say that when that day comes, they'll do it together. Jiraiya offers Naruto a chance to leave with him for three years to train. Naruto accepts, and Jiraiya tells him they'll leave whenever he's ready. Elsewhere, Sasuke arrives at Orochimaru's lair where he soon proves himself worthy of Orochimaru's guidance.

1"Homecoming"
Transliteration: "Kikyō" (Japanese: 帰郷)February 15, 2007October 28, 2009

The episode begins with a preview of episode 51: Running through an underground hideout, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno are reunited with their former teammate, Sasuke Uchiha, and try to bring him back to Konoha, but Sasuke retaliates with a fight, ending with him suppressing the Nine-Tailed Fox within Naruto's subconscious. Then the episode begins as Naruto returns to Konoha after a two-and-a-half-year training journey with Jiraiya and is reunited with Sakura. They are then summoned to Tsunade's office for their first assignment.

2"The Akatsuki Makes Its Move"
Transliteration: "Akatsuki, Shidō" (Japanese: 暁, 始動)February 15, 2007October 28, 2009

Naruto learns that all of his friends have advanced to Chunin rank and even beyond. Jiraiya tells Kakashi Hatake about Akatsuki's plan to capture all the Tailed Beasts, and that Naruto is in danger. Later, Kakashi gives Naruto and Sakura a test to see how far they had improved. Meanwhile, two Akatsuki members, Deidara and Sasori, arrive at the entrance of the Sunagakure to capture the One-Tailed Shukaku's host, Gaara. They discover that Yura, their sleeper agent, has already killed off the guards at the entrance of the village.

3"The Results of Training"
Transliteration: "Shugyō no Seika" (Japanese: 修業の成果)February 22, 2007October 28, 2009

Kakashi challenges Naruto and Sakura in a bell test, in which they must forcefully take from Kakashi two jingle bells using whatever means necessary. Sakura and Naruto both demonstrate their newly acquired skills. At Sunagakure, Deidara reveals his ability to create and manipulate exploding clay. He takes to the skies aboard a giant clay bird and begins his aerial assault on the village by lobbing exploding clay spiders onto the guards, instantly killing them. As soon as he makes it to the Kazekage building, however, he finds Gaara there waiting for him.

4"The Jinchuriki of the Sand"
Transliteration: "Suna no Jinchūriki" (Japanese: 砂の人柱力)March 1, 2007October 28, 2009

Deidara tries to strike, but Gaara's sand manages to push him away. An aerial battle between the two ensues above Sunagakure. Meanwhile, Kankuro is alerted to the presence of Akatsuki in the village and he begins to mobilize the troops. In Konoha, Naruto and Sakura continue to fight against Kakashi, but are unable to get past Kakashi's barrage of elemental jutsu to get the bells from him. Later on, Naruto manages to trick Kakashi by pretending to ruin the ending of his new book; with Kakashi's ears covered and eyes closed, Naruto and Sakura get their bells and finish the test.

5"The Kazekage Stands Tall"
Transliteration: "Kazekage to shite...!" (Japanese: 風影として...!)March 15, 2007November 4, 2009

Gaara tries to trap Deidara with his sand, but the latter escapes, although his left arm gets crushed in the process. Because of this, Deidara plans to launch his C3 level clay bomb on the village itself. Kakashi, meanwhile, allows Naruto and Sakura to be placed on a team with him, by Tsunade, named Team Kakashi. As Deidara prepares his clay, Kankuro remembers Gaara's yearning to be someone's precious individual and friend, as Naruto had taught him. As Baki orders the village troops to stop firing, Deidara drops his C3 explosive down on the village and initiates the detonation.

6"Mission Cleared"
Transliteration: "Norumakuriā" (Japanese: ノルマクリアー)March 29, 2007November 11, 2009

Deidara, determined to defeat Gaara and capture him, unleashes his C3 clay bomb on the village, causing a massive explosion. But Gaara is able to deflect the explosion in time by using his sand to create an enormous shield over the village. However, this leaves him open to a sudden surprise attack from Deidara, and he inadvertently uses sand that had been seeded with Deidara's clay, to defend himself. Deidara then detonates the clay-infested sand, knocking Gaara unconscious. Deidara then captures the falling Gaara and prepares to take him away.

7"Run, Kankuro"
Transliteration: "Hashire Kankurō" (Japanese: 疾走れカンクロウ)March 29, 2007November 18, 2009

As Deidara carries an unconscious Gaara out of the village, Kankuro chases after them. At the village entrance, Kankuro discovers that all the guards there have already been killed. Upon catching up to Deidara and Sasori, Kankuro initiates his puppet techniques by summoning his the puppets: Crow, Black Ant, and Salamander. Sasori sees this as an opportunity to demonstrate his own skills, and he allows Deidara to go ahead so that he can battle Kankuro alone.

8"Team Kakashi Deployed"
Transliteration: "Shutsugeki, Kakashi-han" (Japanese: 出撃, カカシ班)April 12, 2007December 2, 2009

Kankuro's attacks are all nullified by Sasori's scorpion-like tail. He eventually pierces Kankuro with his tail, inflicting him with a slow-acting poison which would kill him in three days. Kankuro is puzzled at how easily Sasori countered his fighting style, to which Sasori responds by revealing to him his identity and reminds him that he was the designer of all of Kankuro's puppets. Meanwhile, an urgent plea for assistance that Sunagakure sent to Konoha arrives and is brought to Tsunade's attention. Acting immediately, she assigns Team Kakashi to back up Sunagakure.

9"The Jinchuriki's Tears"
Transliteration: "Jinchūriki no Namida" (Japanese: 人柱力の涙)April 12, 2007December 9, 2009

Kankuro is brought back to the village, but he is feeling the effects of Sasori's deadly poison. The village's medics are helpless in finding a cure. Baki decides to seek help from the village's elders, Chiyo and her brother, Ebizo. Meanwhile, Team Kakashi, on their way to Sunagakure, pick up Gaara's elder sister, Temari, after telling her of Gaara's kidnapping. They all continue towards the village, as Naruto sheds tears over the hard life that Gaara's had.

10"Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons"
Transliteration: "Fūin Jutsu: Genryū Kyū Fūjin" (Japanese: 封印術·幻龍九封尽)April 19, 2007December 16, 2009

Deidara and Sasori arrive at the secret Akatsuki hideout. The Akatsuki leader gathers the other members, using an astral projection technique, and they begin a three-day long jutsu to extract the One-Tailed Shukaku from Gaara and seal it in a giant statue. At Sunagakure, Kankuro's condition worsens and Chiyo claims that even her expertise is not enough to counteract Sasori's poison. At Konoha, Tsunade foresees the difficulty of Team Kakashi's mission and orders Team Guy to back them up.

11"The Medical Ninja's Student"
Transliteration: "Iryō Ninja no Deshi" (Japanese: 医療忍者の弟子)April 26, 2007December 23, 2009

On reaching Sunagakure, Team Kakashi and Temari get informed of Kankuro's attack. Using the medical ninjutsu that she had learnt from Tsunade, Sakura manages to extract the poison from Kankuro and create an antidote. Afterwards, Kankuro gives Kakashi a piece of Sasori's clothing that he managed to get from him, allowing Kakashi's ninja dogs to track down the Akatsuki's whereabouts. Before heading out themselves, Kankuro asks Naruto to retrieve his brother, and Naruto acquiesces, stating with a smile that Gaara will have to owe him one later on.

12"The Retired Granny's Determination"
Transliteration: "Inkyo Babā no Ketsui" (Japanese: 隠居ババアの決意)May 3, 2007December 31, 2009

Team Kakashi heads out to Akatsuki's hideout, along with Chiyo. On the way, Chiyo tells them about the nine Tailed Beasts in the world, two of which are sealed within Gaara and Naruto. Meanwhile, Kakashi's summon, Pakkun notices Team Guy's approach and informs them of the Akatsuki's lair positioned in the Land of Rivers. Zetsu, the Akatsuki spy, notices the two Konoha teams approaching, and informs the others. The Akatsuki leader then sends out Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha to delay Team Guy and Team Kakashi, respectively, to gain Akatsuki time to seal the One-Tailed Shukaku.

13"A Meeting with Destiny"
Transliteration: "Innen Aimamieru" (Japanese: 因縁あいまみえる)May 10, 2007December 31, 2009

The battle between Team Guy and Kisame begins, while Team Kakashi encounters Itachi. Kakashi warns his team of the danger of Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan, and reveals what he's discovered to be its weakness. Guy's team is quickly contained by Kisame's powerful Water Style Jutsus, leaving Guy himself to fight Kisame alone. Kakashi leads the attack against Itachi with Naruto following close behind, but Naruto is shocked when the real Itachi explodes into a cloud and his allies morph into Itachi's clones.

14"Naruto's Growth"
Transliteration: "Naruto no Seichō" (Japanese: ナルトの成長)May 17, 2007December 31, 2009

The battle between Guy and Kisame intensifies. Guy bring outs his nunchaku to compensate for Kisame's Samehada sword, but takes a beating from Kisame's Water Style Jutsu. After being submerged by Kisame's attacks, Guy resorts to opening up six of his Inner Gates, and defeats Kisame with the Morning Peacock technique. Meanwhile, Naruto realizes he is caught in a genjutsu that Itachi cast upon him, and recalls his training with Jiraiya to try to dispel Itachi's illusion on his own.

15"The Secret Weapon Is Called"
Transliteration: "Kakushidama Nazukete" (Japanese: 隠し玉 名付けて...!)May 24, 2007December 31, 2009

After the bad visions that Itachi makes him suffer, Naruto is released from the genjutsu by Chiyo and Sakura. Distracted and immobilized by Kakashi's shadow clone, Itachi takes a direct hit from Naruto's Great Ball Rasengan. Meanwhile, Guy frees Neji, Rock Lee and Tenten after defeating Kisame. Later, the two Konoha teams find, to their surprise, that the two foes that they had defeated are neither Itachi or Kisame, but two entirely different people, who the Akatsuki leader had used to stall the Konoha teams using Itachi and Kisame's likenesses.

16"The Secret of Jinchuriki"
Transliteration: "Jinchūriki no Himitsu" (Japanese: 人柱力の秘密)May 31, 2007January 6, 2010

Kakashi and Guy's teams both figure out that their battles were only set-ups to delay them from rescuing Gaara. Chiyo goes on to explain that the Tailed Beasts' hosts were individuals burdened with the task of carrying the Beasts within them, such as Gaara and Naruto, and that if their Beast is removed, then they will die. As the two teams rest from their battles, the Akatsuki leader sends out Zetsu to dispose of Itachi and Kisame's clone's bodies.

17"The Death of Gaara!"
Transliteration: "Gaara Shisu!" (Japanese: 我愛羅死す!)June 7, 2007January 13, 2010

Team Guy and Team Kakashi both finish their breaks and go on towards the Akatsuki lair. After noticing Naruto's agitation towards Gaara's capture, Kakashi explains to Chiyo that Naruto is himself a Jinchuriki. Chiyo then reveals that she was the one who sealed the One-Tailed Shukaku in Gaara, to protect Sunagakure. Meanwhile, Akatsuki finishes the sealing of Gaara's Tailed Beast, thereby killing him. Outside the base, Teams Guy and Kakashi arrive, prepared to break into the cave and retrieve Gaara.

18"Charge Tactic! Button Hook Entry!!"
Transliteration: "Totsunyū! Botan Fukku Entorī" (Japanese: 突入!ボタンフックエントリー)June 21, 2007January 20, 2010

Kakashi and Guy's teams find out that there is a barrier protecting the Akatsuki hideout, being generated by five forbidden tags in the nearby area. Neji pinpoints the tags' locations with his Byakugan, and Team Guy dispatches to remove the tags and disables the barrier, allowing Team Kakashi to enter the hideout. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki members end their astral projection technique and leave the hideout, save Deidara and Sasori, who are ordered by the Akatsuki leader to dispose of the intruders.

19"Traps Activate! Team Guy's Enemies"
Transliteration: "Torappu Sadō! Gai-han no Teki" (Japanese: 罠作動!ガイ班の敵)July 5, 2007January 27, 2010

Once removing the tag seals to open the Akatsuki lair's entrance, Team Guy is individually ambushed and attacked by exact clones of themselves. Inside the lair, Deidara angers Naruto by stating Gaara's death. Kakashi tells Naruto to calm down. After Deidara and Sasori get into an argument about what art truly is, Deidara takes Gaara's body away within a clay bird as bait, forcing Naruto and Kakashi to follow him. Sakura and Chiyo remain behind to battle Chiyo's grandson, Sasori.

20"Hiruko vs. Two Kunoichi!"
Transliteration: "Hiruko vs. Futari no Kunoichi" (Japanese: ヒルコVS二人の女忍者)July 19, 2007February 3, 2010

Chiyo explains to Sakura that Sasori used to be one of the best puppeteers in Sunagakure, but he left the village after he started making puppets out of humans. Chiyo also reveals that Sasori's true body is hiding within his favorite puppet, Hiruko, and the only way to kill Sasori is to first destroy his puppet. Chiyo and Sakura are able to dodge Sasori's poison-laced attacks and successfully demolish the puppet using Sakura's strength. Sasori then emerges from the puppet's remains. Just outside, Deidara begins telling Naruto and Kakashi how much stronger Sasori is compared to himself.

21"Sasori's Real Face"
Transliteration: "Sasori no Sugao" (Japanese: サソリの素顔)July 26, 2007February 10, 2010

With his puppet destroyed, Sasori reveals himself to Chiyo and Sakura, looking no older than when he left his village over twenty years ago. Meanwhile, Temari's team, along with Kankuro and Ebizo continue to make their way towards the Land of Rivers, where Ebizo tells the others of the strongest ninja in Sunagakure's history, the Third Kazekage, and his mysterious disappeance. Back in the Akatsuki lair, Sasori summons the Third Kazekage puppet, whom he had kidnapped and turned into a Human Puppet many years ago. Using its weapons, which are even more dangerous than Hiruko's, Sasori is able to catch Sakura in a cloud of poison gas.

22"Chiyo's Secret Skills"
Transliteration: "Chiyo no Oku no Te" (Japanese: チヨの奥の手)August 2, 2007February 17, 2010

Sakura manages to escape the poison gas cloud by using an explosive scroll on herself. Chiyo calls forth the "Mother" and "Father" puppets, that Sasori had modeled out of his dead parents as a child, to fight him with. They manage to hold down the Third Kazekage for a while until Sasori releases the Third's secret technique: Iron Sand. Meanwhile, Team Guy are having trouble fighting their clones and showing exhaustion from the battle. Elsewhere, Naruto and Kakashi manage to avoid Deidara's clay bombs and keep up with him.

23"Father and Mother"
Transliteration: ""Chichi" to "Haha"" (Japanese: 「父」と「母」)August 2, 2007February 24, 2010

The Third Kazekage, being a Human Puppet, is built to retain the chakra the body once had when it was alive, allowing the Third to use his special Iron Sand techniques. The Iron Sand clogs the mechanism in the "Mother" and "Father" puppets, as well as Chiyo's right puppet arm. Chiyo remembers back to when Sasori was a child and created the "Mother" and "Father" puppets to try to get parental love. Chiyo uses a willing Sakura as a puppet, and has her dodge the Iron Sand techniques to get close to Sasori.

24"The Third Kazekage"
Transliteration: "Sandaime Kazekage" (Japanese: 三代目風影)August 9, 2007February 24, 2010

Sasori attacks with an Iron Sand pyramid and prism, but Sakura is able to fend them off, causing the cave in the lair to fall. Sasori then uses the Iron Sand to create a makeshift globe-model out of randomly growing spikes of iron, one of which hits Sakura and paralyzes her with poison. With one last attack from the Third Kazekage puppet, Sasori attempts to kill the seemingly helpless Sakura, only to discover that Sakura is somehow immune to his poison and she destroys the Third Kazekage puppet with a single punch.

25"Three Minutes Between Life and Death"
Transliteration: "Sei to Shi no Sanpunkan" (Japanese: 生と死の三分間)August 16, 2007March 3, 2010

Sakura reveals to Sasori that she had taken an antidote to his poison, that she brought with her. Meanwhile, Deidara attempts to split Naruto and Kakashi by creating a swarm of explosive jumping crickets out of his clay and has them pursue Kakashi. Kakashi makes a shadow clone as a decoy and the crickets, mistaking the clone for the real Kakashi, detonate harmlessly. Kakashi then catches back up with Naruto and strategizes a plan. Sakura and Chiyo ready themselves for the battle with Sasori, who reveals the reason behind his eternal youth: he had transformed himself into a human puppet.

26"Puppet Fight: 10 vs. 100!"
Transliteration: "Jukki vs Hyakki" (Japanese: 十機vs百機)August 23, 2007March 10, 2010

Sakura and Chiyo continue the battle with Sasori, who overwhelms them initially. Sakura manages to later destroy Sasori's puppet body, but he reforms back. Seeing this, Chiyo summons the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, which Sasori counters with his One Hundred Puppet Manipulation Jutsu. Sakura and Chiyo, with the help of her Ten Puppets seem to trap and defeat Sasori, but, under cover of the battle, Sasori secretly transfers the only living part of his body - his heart - into another puppet, and tries to attack Chiyo from behind. Sakura notices this and intercedes, causing Sasori to stab her through her torso.

27"Impossible Dream"
Transliteration: "Kanawanu Yume" (Japanese: 叶わぬ夢)August 30, 2007March 17, 2010

Chiyo injects the last remaining antidote into Sakura, and finally kills Sasori by stabbing him through his heart using the "Father" and "Mother" puppets. With Sasori immobilized, Chiyo revives the nearly-dead Sakura using her Resurrection Technique. As he dies, Sasori tells Sakura where he had planned to meet with one of his spies, who had been secretly working as one of his former Akatsuki partner, Orochimaru's subordinates. Meanwhile, as Kakashi and Naruto are pursuing Deidara, Kakashi reveals his plan to activate his version of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

28"Beasts: Alive Again!"
Transliteration: "Yomigaeru Kemono-tachi" (Japanese: 蘇る獣たち)September 13, 2007March 24, 2010

Team Guy continues to fight their clones. Neji explains to each member of the team that they are growing weaker as the fight drags on, and their clones, being non-human, remain as strong as they were when they were formed. Lee realizes that the only way for them to defeat their clones is to become stronger than they were when they first started fighting. After remembering their training, they remember their resolve to constantly become stronger. This gives them the strength needed to overpower and destroy their clones.

29"Kakashi Enlightened!"
Transliteration: "Kakashi Kaigan!" (Japanese: カカシ開眼!)September 27, 2007March 31, 2010

Kakashi reveals his Mangekyo Sharingan, and uses his interdimensional warping technique, Kamui, to try to warp Deidara, but succeeds only in warping his arm. While Deidara has his guard down, Naruto manages to separate him from his clay bird, and has his clones retain Gaara's body from the bird's mouth. Naruto attacks Deidara, only to discover that he is beating up a clay clone. Angered, Naruto's Nine-Tailed Fox chakra begins to emerge, leading Naruto to transform to his Two-Tailed form.

30"Aesthetics of an Instant"
Transliteration: "Shunkan no Bigaku" (Japanese: 瞬間の美学)September 27, 2007April 7, 2010

After Naruto is taken over by the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra, Kakashi uses a seal that Jiraiya gave him to suppress it. Team Guy finds Deidara thanks to Neji's Byakugan, and seeing the pursuing team, Deidara seemingly self-detonates by ingesting his own clay and exploding. However, the explosion is countered by Kakashi's Kamui, who is able to warp it to a different dimension just in time. Meanwhile, Sakura fails to bring Gaara back to life, and the group mourns Gaara's death. Seeing Naruto's emotions as a friend for Gaara, Chiyo moves over to Gaara's body and uses a Life-Transfer Jutsu to resurrect him.

31"The Legacy"
Transliteration: "Tsugareyukumono" (Japanese: 継がれゆくもの)October 18, 2007April 14, 2010

Chiyo finishes her Life-Transfer Jutsu, after Naruto volunteers to her to use his chakra with her dying chakra. As she continues the technique, she begins to reflect on how Konoha and Sunagakure have acted in the past, and she passes down to Naruto and Sakura her wisdom for the future. A revived Gaara finds himself surrounded by shinobi from Sunagakure celebrating his return. Temari and Kankuro soon reveal that Chiyo gave her life to rescue Gaara, shocking Naruto. Gaara asks his villagers to mourn for Chiyo.

32"Return of the Kazekage"
Transliteration: "Kazekage no Kikan" (Japanese: 風影の帰還)October 25, 2007April 21, 2010

Deidara, revealing that the self-detonation was caused by his clone, survives his battle and begins to search for his missing arm. Meanwhile, Zetsu and his new subordinate, Tobi, who wishes to join Akatsuki, search Sasori's remains for his ring. Deidara later finds the two searching for his own ring. The Konoha ninja begin to leave Sunagakure after their mission. In Konoha, Danzo gives Sai instructions for his secret mission after joining Team Kakashi. In Sunagakure, the Konoha and Sand ninja pay their respects at Chiyo's grave, and Naruto and Gaara shake hands before departing.

33"The New Target"
Transliteration: "Aratanaru tāgetto" (Japanese: 新たなる目標)November 8, 2007April 28, 2010

In Konoha, Kakashi rests in a hospital, while Sakura tells Tsunade about the information the dying Akatsuki member, Sasori gave her: that he was supposed to meet with one of his spies from within Orochimaru's ranks in ten days at the Tenchi Bridge. As four days had already passed, Naruto realizes the need of another teammate and so, starting searching Konoha for a willing recruit. He runs into Team 8, but they are unable to help, as they are assigned a mission of their own. Later, just as Choji agrees to help Naruto, the two and Shikamaru are attacked by Sai.

34"Formation! New Team Kakashi!"
Transliteration: "Kessei! Shin Kakashi han" (Japanese: 結成!新カカシ班)November 15, 2007May 5, 2010

Unable to identify Sai, Naruto, Choji and Shikamaru attempt to capture him, but Sai withdraws. Concerned that Akatsuki might soon come to Konoha looking for the Nine-Tailed Fox, the village elders confront Tsunade. They propose to Tsunade to keep Naruto in Konoha and not send him to missions outside the village. Tsunade declines, and promises to protect Konoha with her own life if Naruto is captured. But she is still forced to compromise with Danzo by adding Sai as a new member to Team Kakashi. With Kakashi in the hospital, Tsunade temporarily replaces him with ANBU member Yamato and tells him to keep an eye on Sai. Later, Naruto and Sakura meet their new team members, and Naruto is immediately angered upon Sai's appearance.

35"An Unnecessary Addition"
Transliteration: "Gadatensoku" (Japanese: 画蛇添足)November 22, 2007May 12, 2010

Yamato takes leadership of Team Kakashi, while Sai, devoid of any human feelings or emotions, insults both Naruto and Sakura. While preparing to set off, Sai receives an envelope from an ANBU Root shinobi containing secret orders from Danzo. Jiraiya then meets with Tsunade and Yamato in Kakashi's hospital room to brief Yamato on the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within Naruto, detailing the "demon fox's cloak", and revealing a huge scar on his chest he got from Naruto, when the latter ascended to a Four-Tailed form. Finally, the new Team Kakashi sets off on their new mission to capture and intercept the spy in Orochimaru's subordinates, and gather information about Sasuke.

36"The Fake Smile"
Transliteration: "Itsuwari no egao" (Japanese: 偽りの笑顔)November 29, 2007May 19, 2010

Team Kakashi heads out for the Tenchi Bridge. Sakura and Naruto come down hard at Sai for making fun of their former teammate, Sasuke. Seeing the tension in the team, Yamato decides they need to improve on teamwork and uses the Wood Style Jutsu to create a wooden cage, threatening to lock the trio up unless they behave. Sakura is shocked to see Yamato using the secret techniques that only the First Hokage was said to possess. Given an ultimatum between being locked up or spending the night at a hot springs by Yamato, the team chooses to visit the springs to improve team cohesion. Despite this fact, Naruto still despises Sai.

37"Untitled"
Transliteration: "Mudai" (Japanese: 無題)November 29, 2007May 26, 2010

Sakura sees Sai drawing by a river and finds out that he has artistic talent, but has never given titles to anything he ever drew. Naruto and Sakura begin to realize the reason behind Sai's repulsive personality. After the hot springs, the team heads off to the Tenchi Bridge to meet with Sasori's spy. Yamato, being suspicious of traps, suggests to the team to alter their route and go through a forest. Camping for the night, Yamato then creates a two story house by again using his Wood Style Jutsu. Inside the house, the team formulates their plan of capturing the spy.

38"Simulation"
Transliteration: "Shimyurēshon" (Japanese: 模擬戦闘訓練)December 6, 2007June 2, 2010

Yamato decides to have a mock test for his team to see how everyone coordinates with each other. Naruto is paired with Sai despite his objections, and Sakura is assigned to support Yamato. Yamato conducts a simulation of the meeting, with himself as "the spy", to gauge Naruto and Sai's abilities and teamwork. After Naruto makes a mistake, Sai immobilizes him and goes off alone. Naruto is angered with Sai for not acting as a comrade would, but resolves to work together with him to get Sasuke back. Sai then reveals to Sakura that he has no emotions, and little understanding of them, as a part of his training in ANBU Root.

39"The Tenchi Bridge"
Transliteration: "Tenchikyō" (Japanese: 天地橋)December 13, 2007June 16, 2010

Yamato disguises himself as Sasori within Hiruko, and goes to meet "the spy" at the Tenchi Bridge. The spy is revealed to be Kabuto, who spills out the location of Orochimaru's current hideout. Before the meeting could finish, Orochimaru appears and interrupts the two. While Kabuto initially seems frightened by Orochimaru's appearance, he stops the ruse and turns around to attack Yamato disguised as Sasori, revealing his and Orochimaru's trap. Seeing Yamato's Wood Style Jutsus, Orochimaru recognises him as one of his test subjects in Konoha years ago, when the latter tried to replicate the Wood Style from First Hokage's DNA by injecting it in the bodies of numerous unborn babies, out of which only Yamato survived. Orochimaru then tells Yamato to call out Naruto, Sakura and Sai from where they are hiding.

40"The Nine-Tails Unleashed"
Transliteration: "Kyūbi kaihō!!" (Japanese: 九尾解放!!)December 20, 2007June 23, 2010

Yamato signals Naruto, Sakura and Sai to appear on the bridge. On seeing Naruto, Orochimaru begins mocking him and compares him to Sasuke, which causes the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra to leak from an enraged Naruto's body and ascends him to a Three-Tailed form. Meanwhile, Yamato remembers Jiraiya speaking of the appearance of number of tails on Naruto during their training, and had specifically warned of Naruto's Four-Tailed transformation.

41"The Top-Secret Mission Begins"
Transliteration: "Gokuhi ninmu sutāto" (Japanese: 極秘任務スタート)December 20, 2007June 30, 2010

Naruto gets more enraged in his three-tailed state, and throws Kabuto away, who inadvertedly knocks Sakura out too. Naruto's anger eventually escalates to him destroying the Tenchi Bridge and he takes to a forest to battle Orochimaru. Sai creates an ink bird and flies beneath the collapsing bridge to the site of Naruto and Orochimaru's battle, instead of catching a falling Sakura. Yamato saves her using his Wood Style Jutsu, and creates a wood clone to follow Sai. In the forest, Naruto's ever-increasing aggression causes his blood to mix with the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra and transform him into a four-tails-bearing miniature fox.

42"Orochimaru vs. Jinchuriki"
Transliteration: "Orochimaru tai Jinchūriki" (Japanese: 大蛇丸VS人柱力)January 10, 2008July 7, 2010

Naruto, in his Four-Tailed form, attacks Orochimaru, and devastates the surrounding landscape, also preventing Sai and Yamato's wood clone from approaching him. The majority of Orochimaru's attacks prove to be ineffective against Naruto, but he still manages to keep up with Naruto with his Regenaration Jutsu. Meanwhile, Kabuto advances toward Sakura and Yamato, deducing that Sasori has died. Orochimaru finally manages to strike Naruto with his Kusanagi Sword, even though he fails to pierce the sword through him. Seeing Naruto in his Four-Tailed state, Sakura is awestruck and terrified.

43"Sakura's Tears"
Transliteration: "Sakura no namida" (Japanese: サクラの涙)January 17, 2008July 14, 2010

Kabuto states that Naruto's current form is a consequence of his desperation to bring back Sasuke to Konoha. Sakura begins to cry and tries to approach Naruto, but is attacked by him. Yamato erects chakra-suppressing wooden pillars using his Wood Style Jutsu to bind Naruto before he does any more harm. Kabuto heals Sakura and disappears after reasoning that the Konoha ninja are not Orochimaru's enemies because they are also fighting Akatsuki. Yamato forcibly returns Naruto to his normal state. Meanwhile, Sai, who was hiding nearby the battlefield the entire time, confronts Orochimaru on behalf of orders from Danzo.

44"The Secret of the Battle!"
Transliteration: "Tatakai no tenmatsu" (Japanese: 戦いの顛末)January 24, 2008July 21, 2010

Sakura tries to heal Naruto, but her medical ninjutsu has little effect on his wounds. In the forest, Orochimaru tries to kill Sai, but it is revealed to be an ink clone. The real Sai emerges from the ground and gives Orochimaru a letter from Danzo. Sai, then, leaves with Orochimaru and Kabuto for their hideout, with Yamato's wood clone on their trail. After Naruto comes to his senses, the team reaches the battlefield spot, and picks up Sai's picture book. From what his clone observed, Yamato infers that Danzo seeks to destroy Konoha with Orochimaru's aid.

45"The Consequences of Betrayal"
Transliteration: "Uragiri no hate" (Japanese: 裏切りの果て)January 31, 2008July 28, 2010

To confuse and slow down Yamato's wood clone, Kabuto creates a fake corpse, resembling Sai. Naruto, still recovering from the effects of his Four-Tailed state, is told to stay behind by Yamato. However, Naruto tells Yamato he is fine and the trio continue to follow Sai. During their pursuit, the team is forced to take a break when Sakura's own injuries take their toll on her. As she heals herself, Yamato talks to Naruto in solace, and tells him that it was he, in his Four-Tailed form, who hurt Sakura. Naruto is shocked to know this and condemns his own actions.

46"The Unfinished Page"
Transliteration: "Mikan no pēji" (Japanese: 未完の頁)February 7, 2008August 4, 2010

Yamato tells Naruto not to rely on the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra, as Naruto is strong on his own. The Konoha team decides to browse Sai's book to give them some clue about him, and they notice that its filled with the story of two boys' paths and battles, however, the pages where the two boys would meet are unfinished. Meanwhile, Orochimaru's group reach their hideout, not realizing that Yamato's wood clone had spotted them. There, Sai confronts a shadowed Sasuke, realizing that this is the man whom Naruto and Sakura have been searching for.

47"Infiltration: The Den of the Snake!"
Transliteration: "Sennyū! Dokuhebi no ajito" (Japanese: 潜入!毒蛇の巣窟)February 14, 2008August 11, 2010

Sai is temporarily trapped in a powerful genjutsu from Sasuke's Sharingan, that frightens him. After recovering, Sai tells Sasuke that Naruto sees him as a brother, as told to him by Sakura. Sasuke replies that he has only one brother, the one he is going to kill, and leaves. Orochimaru gives the envelope with information from Danzo about Konoha's ANBU to Kabuto and instructs him to make a bingo book. On reaching near Orochimaru's hideout, Yamato gives Sakura and Naruto wooden seeds to ingest, which are imbued with his chakra, that would enable him to track them down in case they are lost, and reveals that he was able to track Sai with the same seeds that he had secretly fed Sai. In the hideout, Kabuto locks Sai in a room, and the latter summons a bingo book of the same information in the envelope. Outside, Yamato uses a Earth Style Jutsu to open a tunnel into Orochimaru's hideout, and he, Naruto and Sakura travel to Sai's room undetected.

48"Bonds"
Transliteration: "Tsunagari" (Japanese: つながり)February 28, 2008August 18, 2010

Yamato and his team enter Sai's room and confront him. Sai tells them that not only was he to help in Konoha's destruction, but also act as a spy against Orochimaru. Yamato reveals that in ANBU Root, one must murder his own comrades and sever their emotions, but Sakura returns Sai's picture book to him, remarking that he still has emotions because he treasures it. Afterwards, the team ties up Sai. Once outside, Naruto informs Sai about his bonds of a brother with Sasuke and about how far he would go to bring Sasuke back.

49"Something Important..."
Transliteration: "Taisetsu na mono" (Japanese: 大切なモノ)March 6, 2008August 25, 2010

Before Yamato's team departs to find Sasuke in the hideout, Kabuto appears in front of them and attacks them, before freeing Sai. However, Sai, wanting to learn more about his own bonds with his deceased brother through Naruto's bond with Sasuke, betrays Kabuto and aids Yamato in his capture. A tied up Kabuto gives a vague description of Sasuke's location to the team, thinking that Orochimaru would just kill them either way. Leaving Yamato's wood clone to watch over Kabuto, Yamato and his team enter Orochimaru's hideout and they split up to find Sasuke, Naruto and Sai heading one way, with Sakura and Yamato to another.

50"The Picture Book's Story"
Transliteration: "Ehon ga kataru sutōri" (Japanese: 絵本が語る物語)March 13, 2008September 1, 2010

As the Konoha team continues their search for Sasuke, Naruto suddenly collapses due to exhaustion from his previous battle with Orochimaru. As Naruto wakes up, Sai remembers what he wanted to draw in the middle pages of his picture book: him and his brother smiling; an action which Sai mirrors. As Sai talks about his bonds, Orochimaru suddenly appears and attacks them. Sakura and Yamato come to Naruto's aid, while Sai goes alone to continue the search. Just as Sai finds Sasuke with his ink rats, Yamato finds Sai's bingo book with Sasuke listed as a target for assassination, realising that this is Sai's top-secret mission.

51"Reunion"
Transliteration: "Saikai" (Japanese: 再会)March 20, 2008September 8, 2010

Yamato suggests that Sai's true objective is to kill Sasuke, who, according to his master Danzo, is a threat to Konoha. Sai enters Sasuke's room and wakes him up. But instead of following his orders and killing Sasuke, Sai reveals that he wants to preserve Naruto and Sasuke's bonds. Sasuke retaliates by causing a giant explosion in his room, which attracts Sakura, Naruto and Yamato's attention. As Naruto and Sakura meet with their former friend, Sai declares that he is discarding his mission orders and now wishes to aid Naruto in bringing Sasuke back to Konoha.

52"The Power of Uchiha"
Transliteration: "Uchiha no chikara" (Japanese: うちはの力)March 20, 2008September 15, 2010

With his skills immensely improved over the years, Sasuke begins to attack Naruto, but Sai intervenes. Sasuke keeps the two at bay with his Chidori Current. Sakura decides to charge at Sasuke, but Yamato jumps in front of her, only to wind up being stabbed by Sasuke's Chidori-infused katana. As the Nine-Tailed Fox attempts to goad Naruto to use its power in his consciousness, Sasuke, using his Sharingan, appears in front of them. The Nine-Tailed Fox states that Sasuke's chakra reminds him of Madara Uchiha, before its chakra is totally suppressed by Sasuke. As his chakra dissipates, the Nine-Tails warns Sasuke not to kill Naruto.

53"Title"
Transliteration: "Taitoru" (Japanese: 題名)April 3, 2008October 27, 2010

Just as Sasuke is about to execute a powerful jutsu to finish the team, Orochimaru, followed by Kabuto, appears and stops him. Orochimaru and Kabuto convince Sasuke to withdraw with them and they disappear, leaving a weeping Naruto, who confesses his failure to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, but Sakura reassures him, saying that they will soon bring Sasuke back together. Back in Konoha, Yamato's team reports to Tsunade about the results of the mission, and Tsunade is greatly angered over Danzo's treachery of leaking classified information of Konoha ANBU to Orochimaru. In the ANBU Root base, Sai asks Danzo to allow him to remain longer with Team Kakashi, as well as keep his name. Danzo reluctantly agrees. Later, Sai goes on a mission with his team, having come to see them as his friends.

73"Akatsuki's Invasion"
Transliteration: "Akatsuki shinkō" (Japanese: “暁”侵攻)August 28, 2008March 23, 2011

Zetsu arrives to take Yugito away, as Hidan and Kakuzu head off for their next assignment. Naruto meanwhile proceeds to the next step of his training, the cutting of a waterfall. Hidan and Kakuzu reach the Fire Temple and manage to break in. Once inside, they fight Chiriku, the head monk, so that Kakuzu would be able to attain the bounty on his head. Chiriku puts up a strong fight, but is ultimately defeated and killed. Afterwards, Hidan and Kakuzu move out to claim their bounty and thereafter target their next Jinchūriki.

74"Under the Starry Sky"
Transliteration: "Hoshizora no moto de" (Japanese: 星空の下で)September 4, 2008March 30, 2011

The second stage of Naruto's training continues, while Tsunade sends out the Niju Shotai, twenty teams composed of four ninja each, to deal with and exterminate the Akatsuki members in the Fire Country. Shikamaru leaves with Asuma, Izumo and Kotetsu, whereas Ino and Choji leave with Raido and Aoba. That night, Sakura cries over her picture of Team 7, and Naruto, after witnessing a shooting star, manages to clear the second stage of his training, but subsequently collapses from hunger and exhaustion almost immediately afterward.

75"The Old Monk's Prayer"
Transliteration: "Rōsō no inori" (Japanese: 老僧の祈り)September 11, 2008April 6, 2011

Asuma's team arrives at the Fire Temple and mourns Chiriku's death. Izumo realizes that the Akatsuki must be trying to claim the bounty on his head. Elsewhere, Hidan and Kakuzu continue towards the bounty exchange point. At Ichiraku, Kakashi tells Naruto that he has something up his sleeve that will surprise him. Back at the training ground, Kakashi informs Naruto what the true purpose of his new training is and begins his explanation by showing Naruto his own mastery of the Rasengan.

76"The Next Step"
Transliteration: "Tsuginaru suteppu" (Japanese: 次なる段階)September 25, 2008April 16, 2011

Kakashi reveals that the Rasengan is an incomplete jutsu as he is not able to combine his own elemental chakra affinity into it, just as it's creator, the Fourth Hokage couldn't do. He then presumes that Naruto might be the first one to be able to do so. Meanwhile, Asuma sends word to the other teams about the Akatsuki’s location and proceeds on. Kakuzu then exchanges Chiriku's corpse. Naruto's training increases his stress to the point that the Nine-Tailed Fox tries to break free, but Yamato manages to suppress it entirely.

77"Climbing Silver"
Transliteration: "Bōgin" (Japanese: 棒銀)September 25, 2008April 23, 2011

Asuma’s team reaches the bounty station and ambushes Hidan. Izumo and Kotetsu attack, but are unable to kill him despite stabbing vital organs due to Hidan's immortality. Asuma says that if they retreat, Konoha will be endangered. Shikamaru realizes that Asuma is considering sacrificing himself to help defeat the enemy. Asuma begins fighting Hidan, while Shikamaru distracts him by forcing him to dodge his Shadow Sewing Jutsu. Hidan cuts Asuma on the cheek with his scythe, draws a circle of blood on the ground and steps in it, as Asuma uses a Fire Style Jutsu to engulf Hidan in flame.

78"The Judgment"
Transliteration: "Kudasareta sabaki" (Japanese: 下された裁き)October 2, 2008April 30, 2011

Asuma’s Fire Jutsu strikes Hidan, but, to his team's surprise, Asuma gets burnt as well. Hidan then reveals his ability to link his body to his opponent's after ingesting their blood. Asuma rushes at Hidan, but collapses after Hidan stabs himself in the leg, thereby injuring Asuma. Shikamaru realizes Hidan needs to be in the circle for his curse ritual to take effect, and so, uses his Shadow Possession Jutsu to force Hidan to step out of it. As he does so, Asuma gets to strike a finishing blow on Hidan. As Hidan screams, Asuma decapitates Hidan with his chakra knife.

79"Unfulfilled Scream"
Transliteration: "Todokanu zekkyō" (Japanese: 届かぬ絶叫)October 2, 2008May 7, 2011

Hidan’s immortality enables him to stay alive even with his head cut off, although he cannot move his body. Seeing this, Kakuzu sews Hidan's head back on his body with threads that sprout from his body. Izumo and Kotetsu try to attack Kakuzu, but he manages to grab them both by using his body threads, restraining them and suffocating them as well. Hidan, now able to move again, returns to the circle and stabs himself with the blades of his scythe, and he finishes the ritual by stabbing himself in the chest with another spike, fatally wounding Asuma.

80"Last Words"
Transliteration: "Saigo no kotoba" (Japanese: 最期の言葉)October 16, 2008May 14, 2011

Asuma is mortally wounded and collapses. Shortly thereafter, Ino, Choji, Aoba and Raido appear as the team's backup. Hidan and Kakuzu prove to be a match for them too, but they're ordered back to the hideout by their "leader" to seal the Two Tails. They retreat, warning the group that they will return. Ino tries to treat Asuma with her medical jutsu, but fails, as Hidan's attacks had damaged his vital organs. Asuma leaves advice for his students, and whispers to Shikamaru the identity of the "king" that Konoha must protect. As he smokes a final cigarette, he dies.

81"Sad News"
Transliteration: "Kanashiki shirase" (Japanese: 悲しき報せ)October 23, 2008May 21, 2011

Naruto struggles to combine the shape and elemental manipulation in the Rasengan. Elsewhere, the Akatsuki begin sealing the two-tailed beast, and the Akatsuki "leader" reveals Akatsuki plans to use the tailed beasts to cause conflict in the ninja nations, serving as mercenaries at a lower cost than the ninja of the hidden villages, replacing them, having monopoly on war and eventually taking over the world. Meanwhile, news of Asuma's death reaches Konoha just as Naruto realizes the solution is to use two shadow clones instead of one.

82"Team Ten"
Transliteration: "Daijuppan" (Japanese: 第十班)October 30, 2008June 4, 2011

A funeral is held for Asuma, but Shikamaru does not attend it, choosing instead to sulk at home. After a careful prodding by his father during a game of Shogi, Shikamaru works through his emotions, and comes up with a strategy to defeat Asuma's killers, Hidan and Kakuzu. Team 10 visits Asuma's grave before setting out for revenge, but Tsunade stops them, telling them that they need a four-man squad and backup for the mission. But Kakashi volunteers as the leader of the team, when it becomes clear Team 10 has no intention of backing down.

83"Target: Locked On"
Transliteration: "Tāgetto Rokkuon" (Japanese: 標的捕捉)November 6, 2008June 18, 2011

Tsunade tells Sakura that Team 7 will be Team 10's backup, but only if Naruto finishes his training within 24 hours. Elsewhere, Shikamaru quickly adjusts the team's strategy to include Kakashi and Yugito dies after having the two tails extracted from her. After Hidan and Kakuzu are found, Shikamaru pins their shadows with Asuma's chakra knives imbued with his chakra. Using his Shadow Possession Jutsu, he forces Hidan to attack Kakuzu, but Kakuzu dodges the attempt, after revealing that he had secretly detached his arm during Shikamaru's previous attack to remove the chakra knife pinning his shadow. With Kakuzu cornered, Choji then attacks Kakuzu from above.

84"Kakuzu's Abilities"
Transliteration: "Kakuzu no nōryoku" (Japanese: 角都の能力)November 13, 2008June 25, 2011

Choji's spiked cannonball attack proves ineffective against Kakuzu's special ability, which enables him to harden his skin. In Konoha, Naruto learns more about the five elemental chakra natures and their strengths and weaknesses in relation to each other. Kakuzu gets struck by Kakashi's Lightning Blade right through his heart, but survives and produces four masked entities from his back, one of which dies, as it had been struck by Kakashi. Kakuzu then uses the masks to attack Team 10 with powerful Wind, Lightning and Fire Jutsus.

85"The Terrifying Secret"
Transliteration: "Osorubeki himitsu" (Japanese: 恐るべき秘密)November 20, 2008July 2, 2011

Shikamaru realizes Kakuzu has five hearts, each of which must be killed to defeat him. He also reasons that separating Kakuzu from Hidan is the only way to defeat them, and, so he uses Shadow Possession Jutsu to lead Hidan into a dense forest. Kakuzu combines two of his hearts into a single entity and prepares to face Kakashi, Ino and Choji to get a replacement heart. At the same time, in the forest, amidst numerous explosive tags that Shikamaru had set up for the Akatsuki duo, Hidan strikes Shikamaru with his spear, drawing his blood and ingests it. He then prepares to use his curse ritual to kill Shikamaru.

86"Shikamaru's Genius"
Transliteration: "Shikamaru no sai" (Japanese: シカマルの才)December 4, 2008July 9, 2011

Hidan stabs himself in the chest, but instead of mortally wounding Shikamaru, he accidentally destroys another one of Kakuzu's hearts. When demanded an explanation from Hidan about why he still was alive, Shikamaru reveals to have poured Kakazu's blood (that Kakashi had retrieved earlier in a capsule) on Hidan's spear, and so he had killed one of Kakuzu's hearts. He also traps Hidan with his Shadow Possession Jutsu. Being temporarily incapacitated, Kakuzu's remaining three hearts return to his body, with one sacrificing itself to become his heart. Just as Kakuzu is about to finish them off with another Fire-Wind Jutsu, Team 7 arrives just in time to stop the attack with Naruto and Yamato's Wind-Water Jutsu combo.

87"When You Curse Someone, You Dig Your Own Grave"
Transliteration: "Hito o norowaba ana futatsu" (Japanese: 人を呪わば穴二つ)December 4, 2008July 16, 2011

Sakura and Sai leave to help Shikamaru. Hidan attempts to break out of Shikamaru's weakened Shadow Possession Jutsu on him, but Shikamaru pulls the explosive tags onto Hidan's body. Shikamaru then opens a trap hole that he had prepared, and reveals his plan to bury Hidan beneath the Nara family woods. He has a vision of Asuma entrusting his "will of fire" to him, and then throws his lighter to ignite the tags on Hidan, which explode and dismember the latter. Meanwhile, Naruto prepares the new Jutsu that he had been developing, Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken.

88"Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken!"
Transliteration: "Fūton: Rasenshuriken!" (Japanese: 風遁·螺旋手裏剣!)December 11, 2008July 23, 2011

Naruto attacks Kakuzu with Rasen Shuriken, but his attack dissipates before he can land a hit. Meanwhile, with Hidan's dismembered remains in the trap hole, Shikamaru uses another explosive tag to fill in the hole to finally bury Hidan. He is joined by Sakura and Sai, and they head back to the others. Naruto once again creates a Rasen Shuriken, and Kakuzu switches to a long-range mode to counter his attack. As Naruto, with his shadow clones, rush towards Kakuzu, the latter flies over and nails the original Naruto. But this is revealed to be a shadow clone, and the real Naruto manages to lands a critical hit with the second Rasen Shuriken, destroying both of Kakuzu's replacement hearts.

113"The Serpent's Pupil"
Transliteration: "Daija no dōkō" (Japanese: 大蛇の瞳孔)June 11, 2009December 29, 2011

The time for the Reanimation jutsu is coming and Orochimaru's body is reaching its limit. Kabuto and Orochimaru discuss Sasuke's growth during the Chunin Exams. After practicing his ninja techniques, Sasuke makes a sudden attack on Orochimaru, having nothing else to learn from him. Orochimaru reveals his true form, a giant white snake, and makes his attempt to take Sasuke's body. Sasuke uses his Cursed Seal to counter it. Meanwhile, Tsunade discovers the Three-Tails is taken by Akatsuki.

114"Eye of the Hawk"
Transliteration: "Taka no hitomi" (Japanese: 鷹の瞳)June 18, 2009

Orochimaru reminisces about the memories of his past, how he became interested in reanimation and the Sharingan. Orochimaru begins the ritual to take over Sasuke's body. Later on, Kabuto arrives to see Sasuke standing over Orochimaru's snake corpse, and from the Sharingan, he finds out what happened: Orochimaru had failed in possessing Sasuke's body, as Sasuke manages to reverse Orochimaru's Jutsu and absorbs Orochimaru into his body. Sasuke then leaves his hideout to find his own path.

115"Zabuza's Blade"
Transliteration: "Zabuza no daitō" (Japanese: 再不斬の大刀)June 25, 2009

Sasuke frees Suigetsu Hozuki from his hydro capsule, and requests his services. Suigetsu responds that he would gladly give them, on condition that he helps him find Zabuza's sword. They fail to find the blade at his grave, but learn that it is in the possession of a man named Tenzen Daikoku. Sasuke uses Tenzen's guarded fortress to test Suigetsu's combat abilities, and Suigetsu gets the blade without much effort. As promised, Suigetsu joins up with Sasuke, and goes with him to the Southern hideout.

116"Guardian of the Iron Wall"
Transliteration: "Teppeki no bannin" (Japanese: 鉄壁の番人)July 2, 2009

The second member of Sasuke's team is revealed to be a woman named Karin. After Sasuke and Suigetsu arrive at the Southern Hideout, Sasuke requests that Karin comes with them. Despite her hesitations and quarrels with Suigetsu, Karin ultimately accepts after remembering her very first encounter with Sasuke. Sasuke orders Suigetsu to release the prisoners, and after that, they set off to recruit the final member of the team - Jugo.

117"Jugo of the North Hideout"
Transliteration: "Kita ajito no Jūgo" (Japanese: 北アジトの重吾)July 9, 2009

While approaching the hideout, Karin explains that Jugo has abnormal homicidal impulses, and is the original carrier of the enzyme used to create Orochimaru’s Curse Mark. Upon arriving there, Sasuke and his team are attacked by a massive number of rampaging prisoners, who they manage to suppress. Later on, Sasuke is attacked by Jugo, but he expresses that he only wishes to talk with him. In the meantime, Naruto and Sakura find out that Sasuke has killed Orochimaru.

118"Formation!"
Transliteration: "Kessei!" (Japanese: 結成!)July 23, 2009

While fighting with Sasuke, Jugo remembers how he met his friend - Kimimaro, and what he experienced with him. After being told that Kimimaro has died for his sake, Jugo agrees to go with them, believing that Kimimaro lives on within Sasuke. After informing his newly formed team that his goal is to kill Itachi Uchiha of the Akatsuki, Sasuke names their group "Hebi" ["Snake"]. In the meantime, Naruto decides to go after Itachi in hopes of finding Sasuke.

119"Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boys' Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 1"
Transliteration: "Kakashi Gaiden ~ Senjō no bōizuraifu ~ Zenpen" (Japanese: カカシ外伝～戦場のボーイズライフ～前編)July 30, 2009

Around 17 years ago, during the Third Great Ninja War, the future Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, assigns 13 year old Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin, a medical ninja, on a mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge. As they head off, Kakashi unveils his new Jutsu: Chidori, which Minato notes is incomplete. That night, Minato tells Obito about how Kakashi's father committed suicide after being disgraced. The next day, Minato leaves and Rin is later kidnapped. Kakashi refuses to save her, but Obito ignores him and heads off on his own.

120"Kakashi Chronicles ~ Boys' Life on the Battlefield ~ Part 2"
Transliteration: "Kakashi Gaiden ~ Senjō no bōizuraifu ~ Kōhen" (Japanese: カカシ外伝～戦場のボーイズライフ～後編)July 30, 2009

Obito finds Rin, but is attacked by a Stone Ninja. Kakashi arrives and loses his left eye trying to save Obito. To help Kakashi, Obito is able to awaken his Sharingan. They both then rescue Rin, but the cave they're in collapses in on them, crushing Obito's right side. Obito decides to donate his left Sharingan eye to Kakashi and asks him to protect Rin. Kakashi then protects Rin from the enemy ninja before losing consciousness. They're later saved by Minato who helps them complete their mission and destroy Kannabi Bridge.

121"Assemble"
Transliteration: "Ugokidasumono-tachi" (Japanese: 動き出すものたち)August 6, 2009

After capturing the Four-Tailed Jinchūriki, Itachi and Kisame are summoned by their leader and told about Orochimaru's death. They are then warned about Sasuke's movements and that he may be coming after Itachi. Later, after sealing the Three-Tailed and Four-Tailed Beasts, Deidara and Tobi set out targeting either Naruto or Sasuke. Meanwhile, Hebi gathers supplies at an abandoned Uchiha warehouse and Kakashi assembles Team Kurenai, led by himself, to set out with Team Kakashi, led by Yamato, to capture Itachi.

122"The Hunt"
Transliteration: "Tansaku" (Japanese: 探索)August 13, 2009

As Naruto and the others set off with Kakashi's ninja hounds, Hebi scatters to look for information on Itachi. Sakura walks past Karin as Hinata, Yamato and Naruto run into Kabuto, who gives them a book with information on the Akatsuki. He then reveals that in a search to find himself, he has transplanted Orochimaru's remains into himself. He then leaves to track down Sasuke. Elsewhere, Sasuke is confronted by Tobi and Deidara and prepares for a battle with them.

123"Clash!"
Transliteration: "Gekitotsu!" (Japanese: 激突!)August 20, 2009

Sasuke asks where Itachi is and slices through Tobi, as Deidara retreats to a distance. Tobi gets back up unharmed as Deidara retaliates with his chakra-level 1 (C1) explosives. Sasuke escapes with a simple replacement jutsu forcing Deidara to use one of his C2 creations, the C2 Dragon. Working with Tobi, they forced Sasuke to use the Curse Mark. In the end, Sasuke defeats their combos, and Deidara is left with no choice but to use his trump card that was meant for Itachi, the C4 Karura.

124"Art"
Transliteration: "Geijutsu" (Japanese: 芸術)August 27, 2009

As Deidara's C4 Karura detonates, Sasuke perishes. Believing to have won, Deidara drops his guard, only to be pierced by Sasuke's Chidori. After being asked how he had survived, Sasuke reveals that he was never harmed and that Deidara was under his genjutsu. Deidara tries to kill Sasuke, but is misled by his Sharingan again. Both combatants collapse and Sasuke deactivates his Sharingan. Angered at being mocked, Deidara unveils his final attack, turning himself into a living bomb and detonating himself in an attempt to kill Sasuke.

125"Disappearance"
Transliteration: "Shōshitsu" (Japanese: 消失)September 3, 2009

Upon noticing the blast, Suigetsu summons Manda and finds out that Sasuke had used him to escape. Unable to survive, Manda dies from his wounds and Zetsu informs the remaining Akatsuki of the death of Deidara and Tobi. Naruto and the others get to the crater, and using Kiba's tracking skills they begin to track down Sasuke's scent. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki leader, Pain and his partner, Konan, are then ordered to capture the Nine-Tailed Jinchūriki by a mysterious man, Tobi, his real identity being Madara Uchiha.

126"Twilight"
Transliteration: "Tasogare" (Japanese: 黄昏)September 10, 2009

Jiraya arrives in Konohagakure and tells Tsunade that he has information regarding Pain's location. In the meantime, Karin senses that they're being followed and asks Jugo to help her throw off their pursuers. As Hebi departs, Naruto encounters Itachi. After talking, Itachi departs, having more pressing matters to attend to. Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Tsunade discuss Naruto's parents, Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, and the Foundation before Jiraiya departs for the Hidden Rain Village.

127"Tales of a Gutsy Ninja ~Jiraiya Ninja Scroll~ Part 1"
Transliteration: "Dokonjō ninden ~Jiraiya ninpōchō~ Zenpen" (Japanese: ド根性忍伝～自来也忍法帖～前編)September 24, 2009

Back in the times of the Third Hokage's youth, the young, soon-to-be Sannin are assigned to Hiruzen Sarutobi's platoon. Being fascinated by Sarutobi’s summoning jutsu, Jiraiya tries it himself, only to teleport himself to Mount Myoboku. There, Jiraiya trains under Fukusaku and meets the Great Lord Elder who has a vision of his future. Afterwards, Jiraiya goes on a journey with the goal to fulfill his destiny, meeting many strange characters on the way.

128"Tales of a Gutsy Ninja ~Jiraiya Ninja Scroll~ Part 2"
Transliteration: "Dokonjō ninden ~Jiraiya ninpōchō~ Kōhen" (Japanese: ド根性忍伝～自来也忍法帖～後編)September 24, 2009

Due to the Third Great Ninja War, Jiraiya, Tsunade and Orochimaru are sent to the Hidden Rain Village, where they are named the "Legendary Sannin" by Hanzo of the Great Salamander. While in the village, Jiraiya meets with Yahiko, Nagato and Konan who request help from him. Jiraiya accepts and proceeds to train them before returning home. He is later informed that all three children were killed. Some time later, Jiraiya trains Minato, who together with Kushina, names their unborn son "Naruto" after the main character in Jiraiya's first book.

129"Infiltrate! The Village Hidden in the Rain"
Transliteration: "Sennyū! Amegakure no Sato" (Japanese: 潜入! 雨隠れの里)October 8, 2009

Jiraiya successfully infiltrates the Village Hidden in the Rain, where he wanders around town and speaks to the inhabitants about their leader, Pain. Unsuccessful in gathering information, he captures two lower ninja of the city in a frog's stomach, who end up telling him that the mysterious Pain had defeated the former leader of Rain, Hanzo, whom the Sannin together couldn't defeat. Meanwhile, Pain orders Konan to search for the intruder and she folds herself into origami butterflies.

130"The Man Who Became God"
Transliteration: "Kami to natta Otoko" (Japanese: 神となった男)October 8, 2009

Pain changes into a new body and tells Konan to confront Jiraiya, their former sensei. Pain soon arrives himself and discusses his personal ideology and the Akatsuki's goals with Jiraiya. He reveals that the collection of the Tailed Beasts is in order to create a Forbidden Jutsu weapon that will be able to destroy entire nations in an instant, so that the world will be able to "mature" and develop an aversion for war. Pain then summons a crab to attack Jiraiya, which is defeated before Jiraiya summons a giant frog named Gamaken.

131"Honored Sage Mode!"
Transliteration: "Hatsudō! Sennin Mōdo" (Japanese: 発動! 仙人モード)October 15, 2009

Jiraiya and Gamaken begin their battle against Pain, who has hidden himself using camouflage. Jiraiya uses a barrier jutsu to try and find him while preparing to enter Sage Mode. Meanwhile, Pain assaults Jiraiya with a barrage of animal summons, such as a multiplying dog, a rhino, a bird and a bull, and Jiraiya finally enters in Sage Mode, after sending Gamaken back home. He summons Lord Fukasaku and Lady Shima, who find Pain and destroy his chameleon. Pain then summons two more bodies.

132"In Attendance, the Six Paths of Pain"
Transliteration: "Pein Rikudō, kenzan" (Japanese: ペイン六道、見参)October 22, 2009

Jiraiya blinds one of the new Pains, and Lord Fukasaku suspects that all three share the same eyes and vision, while Jiraiya realizes that each of the bodies has only one specific purpose. Jiraiya stalls for time while Lord Fukasaku and Lady Shima prepare a powerful genjutsu to defeat the bodies and are successful in doing so. As Jiraiya leaves, another Pain ambushes Jiraiya destroying his left arm. As Jiraiya looks up he sees six Pains, including the three that were killed. He stands horrified wondering just who and what Pain is.

133"The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant"
Transliteration: "Jiraiya gōketsu monogatari" (Japanese: 自来也豪傑物語)October 29, 2009

Jiraiya kills one of the Pains only to realise he's fought him before. Lady Shima leaves on Jiraiya's request, before Jiraiya realizes that he has met all of the Pains before. He learns Pain's secret, but his throat is crushed before finally being impaled by the remaining Pains. As he begins to die, he remembers Naruto's determination and forces himself awake, where he writes a message on Lord Fukasaku's back. Pain then blasts him into the ocean, where Jiraiya dies happy, knowing that Naruto will live in his place.

134"Banquet Invitation"
Transliteration: "Utage e no izanai" (Japanese: 宴への誘い)November 5, 2009

While Naruto's team continues their search for Sasuke, Sasuke meets Itachi in a cave, fights an illusion and is told to come to the Uchiha hideout. On their way, Sasuke's team is intercepted by a shadow clone of Naruto, which Sasuke easily dispatches. The real Naruto quickly sends his team after Sasuke, but they are stopped by Tobi. Meanwhile, Team Hebi is confronted by Kisame who won't let anyone but Sasuke pass. Sasuke carries on while his team, specifically Suigetsu, faces Kisame.

135"The Longest Moment"
Transliteration: "Nagaki toki no naka de..." (Japanese: 長き瞬間の中で...)November 19, 2009

As Sasuke approaches the Uchiha hideout, Itachi recalls his past with his little brother and the assassination that he carried out after joining the Anbu and being under close watch for his suspicious activities. When Sasuke arrives, he declares that his eyes have shown him Itachi's death and the fated battle between the two brothers begins. Itachi's illusions deceive Sasuke as he explains that he conspired with Madara Uchiha, the Leaf's founder and the first to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan, when he killed their clan.

136"The Light & Dark of the Mangekyo Sharingan"
Transliteration: "Mangekyō Sharingan no hikari to yami" (Japanese: 万華鏡写輪眼の光と闇)November 19, 2009

As Zetsu watches on, Itachi explains to Sasuke the secret behind the Mangekyo Sharingan, and the history of the Uchiha clan. Besides being able to tame the Nine-Tailed Fox, the Mangekyo will eventually rob the user of his eyesight and the only way to overcome this obstacle is to steal the Sharingan eyes of that person's sibling. Sasuke retaliates against Itachi's assaults, but he is eventually pinned to a wall and has one of his eyes seemingly stolen by Itachi.

137"Amaterasu!"
Transliteration: "Amaterasu" (Japanese: 天照)November 26, 2009

As Itachi moves in to take his remaining eye, Sasuke manages to overcome the Tsukuyomi he was placed under. With Genjutsu now useless, the brothers switch to Ninjutsu, with Sasuke gaining the upperhand. Itachi then unleashes Amaterasu, however Sasuke uses a Substitution Jutsu to escape the flames. Itachi berates Sasuke, claiming he now has no chakra left, but Sasuke reveals that he had come prepared, and has one last technique left that would make his dream of killing Itachi a reality.

138"The End"
Transliteration: "Shūen" (Japanese: 終焉)December 3, 2009

Sasuke summons his Lightning jutsu, Kirin, and directs it at Itachi. However, Itachi rises again and reveals his final Mangekyo technique, Susano'o. With Sasuke weakened, Orochimaru is able to break free from his restrictive chakra and attempts to take Sasuke's body. However, Itachi retaliates by sealing him away into another dimension, ridding Sasuke of the Curse Mark. Out of jutsu, Sasuke is left at Itachi's mercy, but at the last second, Itachi taps Sasuke on his forehead and collapses onto the ground, dead.

139"The Mystery of Tobi"
Transliteration: "Tobi no nazo" (Japanese: トビの謎)December 10, 2009

The leaf ninja continue to fight Tobi, but all of their attacks manage to phase right through him. Zetsu arrives to inform Tobi of the outcome of the Uchiha match, and Madara drops his goofy persona in order to leave the fight and collect the brothers' bodies. Sasuke wakes up in a cave and Madara approaches him, introducing himself. An Amaterasu is unleashed from Sasuke's eye, but Madara recovers from it and mentions how in-depth Itachi's plans were. Sasuke asks what he means, and Madara tells him that Itachi was trying to protect him.

140"Fate"
Transliteration: "Innen" (Japanese: 因縁)December 17, 2009

Madara tells Sasuke about the history of the Uchiha and how they and their rivals, the Senju clan, led by the future First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, once made a pact to unite the two clans as one and to make the first hidden village, Konoha. Afterwards, the Senju spied on and secretly discriminated against the Uchiha, forcing Madara, their leader, to leave and try to exact revenge upon them. Years later, the Uchiha were planning a coup d'etat on the village and Itachi was chosen by the village leaders to spy on the clan from the inside.

141"Truth"
Transliteration: "Shinjitsu" (Japanese: 真実)December 24, 2009

Madara continues by informing Sasuke that Itachi was a double-agent who was assigned to leak intel on the Uchiha back to the village. He then contacted Madara to help him undertake his mission of exterminating the Uchiha clan. They succeeded in their mission, although Itachi couldn't bring himself to kill Sasuke. Some time later, Sasuke reminisces on Itachi's final words to him, before breaking down into tears. He then changes his team's name to Taka and declares, with his new Mangekyo Sharingan, that their goal is to destroy Konoha.

142"Battle of Unraikyo"
Transliteration: "Unraikyō no tatakai" (Japanese: 雲雷峡の闘い)January 7, 2010

The Konoha teams decide to head back home as Sasuke remembers that he saw Itachi crying after the massacre. He then states that he cannot rebuild the Uchiha clan in the same way that Itachi had envisioned. Madara, happy that he can use Sasuke for himself, assigns Taka the task of capturing the Eight-Tails while Akatsuki hunts the last two. Taka tracks down the host, Killer Bee, to the Land of Lightning and engages him in battle. Bee manages to overpower Jugo and Suigetsu before Sasuke steps up to fight him one-on-one.

143"The Eight-Tails vs. Sasuke"
Transliteration: "'Hachibi' tai 'Sasuke'" (Japanese: 「八尾」対「サスケ」)January 14, 2010

Sasuke fights Killer Bee and is injured by his swords. Karin heals him, and Sasuke, Suigetsu, and Jugo then begin a combined assault on Bee until he decides to use the Eight-Tails' power. Sasuke is injured and revived again by Jugo, who regresses in age as a result. All healed, Sasuke unleashes Amaterasu on Bee in desperation, finally able to subdue him. Meanwhile, two Cloud ninja watch the fight from a cliff, and they notice the Uchiha crest on Sasuke's back. They rush the news to Bee's big brother, the Raikage.

152"Somber News"
Transliteration: "Hihō" (Japanese: 悲報)March 25, 2010

The Akatsuki finish sealing the Six-Tailed Slug, resulting in its host, Utakata's death. At the same time, Sasuke Uchiha and Taka deliver the Eight-Tailed Ox's jinchūriki, Killer Bee, to Madara Uchiha for the beast's extraction, before retiring to tend to their injuries. Meanwhile, in Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki remembers about Itachi Uchiha's words about Sasuke, and about a "secret power" that he had given him. The next day, Naruto is summoned by Tsunade in her office, where he is informed of Jiraiya's death in his battle against Pain by Fukasaku. Unable to cope with the shocking news, Naruto lashes out at Tsunade for letting Jiraiya go to Amegakure alone and exits the room, needing some time alone. His former sensei, Iruka Umino greets and tries to perk him up, but to no avail.

153"Following the Master's Shadow"
Transliteration: "Shi no Kage o Otte" (Japanese: 師の影を追って)March 25, 2010

Naruto is perturbed and thinks about his past times with Jiraiya while crying. In Tsunade's office, Fukusaku reveals the chakra-encrypted code that Jiraiya wrote on his back, and the Animal Path body from the Six Paths of Pain that Jiraiya managed to defeat. Immediately, Tsunade orders an autopsy to be performed on the body, and decryption of the code, before she leaves her office to secretly mourn Jiraiya's death herself. Outside, Iruka meets with Naruto again, and comforts him. Later, unable to decipher Jiraiya's code himself, Shikamaru Nara asks Kakashi Hatake for help in vain. He then goes to Naruto, but when he sees him still grieving, they both visit Kurenai Yuhi, who is pregnant with Asuma Sarutobi's child and who Shikamaru has sworn to the latter to protect. Bringing up the fact that they both have gone through the sorrow of losing their master, Shikamaru manages to cheer Naruto up, who finally decides to help.

154"Decryption"
Transliteration: "Angō Kaidoku" (Japanese: 暗号解読)April 8, 2010

The interrogation and autopsy on the captured Amegakure ninja and Pain's Animal Path body begins, respectively, as Naruto helps Shikamaru and Shiho on decoding Jiraiya's message. Naruto, having travelled and trained under Jiraiya, notices that each number, following the "Ta" katakana (that Jiraiya always wrote like the number 9), references the first character at certain pages of Jiraiya's "Make-Out Tactics" book, which Kakashi is forced to read out loud. They inform Tsunade and Fukasaku of the message, which reads "The Real One Is Not There". Remembering Jiraiya's foretold destiny of training the "world's savior", Fukasaku offers to take his apprentice, Naruto, back to Mount Myoboku for training in Sage Mode, which Naruto accepts.

155"The First Challenge"
Transliteration: "Daiichi no Kadai" (Japanese: 第一の課題)April 8, 2010

Naruto commences his training to gather in Natural Energy to learn Sage Mode, in which he learns of a dangerous risk: if too much Natural Energy enters the body, the recipient might turn into a frog statuette. Fukasaku helps Naruto with a special lubricant called "toad oil" to gather Natural Energy quickly, and prevents his excessive collection of the latter by hitting him on the head. While taking a break, he gives Naruto the first book that Jiraiya ever wrote, which makes Naruto remember the latter bequeathing his mission for world peace to him. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki learn that the Killer Bee that Sasuke brought back was only a clone, as the Six Paths of Pain and Konan prepare to head out to Konoha to capture the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.

156"Surpassing the Master"
Transliteration: "Shi o Koeru Toki" (Japanese: 師を超えるとき)April 15, 2010

After intense training on Mount Myoboku, Naruto finally masters gathering Natural Energy and enters a perfected Sage Mode for the first time, surpassing even Jiraiya in it's use according to Fukasaku, who now starts teaching Naruto a unique form of senjutsu-enhanced taijutsu called Frog Kumite, which increases the range of one's physical attacks. Meanwhile, Kumogakure initiates a massive man-hunt for Killer Bee, who's elder brother and the Fourth Raikage, A, asks a three-person team of Killer Bee's former students, Samui, Karui and Omoi, to deliver an urgent letter to Konoha's Hokage, Tsunade, entailing Sasuke's attack on Kumo and Killer Bee, as well as to invite her, along with the other Kage, to a first-ever Kage Summit.

157"Assault on the Leaf Village!"
Transliteration: "Konoha Shūgeki!" (Japanese: 木ノ葉襲撃!)April 22, 2010

The Six Paths of Pain and Konan arrive in Konoha, split in two teams and begin their invasion of the village to capture Naruto, who is finishing his Frog Kumite training on Mount Myoboku. Amidst the chaos, Konoha's Intel Division, lead by Ino Yamanaka's father, Inoichi, tries to read the memories of the captured Amegakure ninja's mind, while Shizune leads a biopsy team to find out the secret behind Pain's Animal Path's metal piercings, that are distinctively found embedded on all the Paths' bodies. As Pain interrogates and assaults several Konoha ninja, Sakura and Shikamaru help the wounded, and Tsunade is informed that it is the Akatsuki leader that is attacking. She then orders for Naruto to be brought back immediately.

158"Power to Believe"
Transliteration: "Shinjiru Chikara" (Japanese: 信じる力)April 29, 2010

As the Six Paths and Konan try to determine Naruto's location, wreaking havoc in Konoha in the process, Danzo Shimura tells the village elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, of Pain's arrival and Tsunade's inefficiency in dealing with the situation. They confront Tsunade on the matter, trying to make her change her mind about bringing back Naruto, fearing his capture would mean Konoha's annihilation. Furious, she tells them that they need to believe in Naruto (and the other young ninja) as he is too is member of Konoha, just like all of them, and not a weapon. As Shizune informs Tsunade of Pain's body piercings actually being unique chakra receivers, Tsunade formulates a plan to defend Konoha. In the battlefield, Pain's Deva Path encounters and attacks Iruka, but he is saved by Kakashi, who confronts Pain himself.

159"Pain vs. Kakashi"
Transliteration: "Pein vs Kakashi" (Japanese: ペインvsカカシ)May 6, 2010

Kakashi starts fighting the Deva Path, which is soon backed up by the cyborg-like Asura Path. When none of his attacks work, Kakashi uses a clone as a decoy to learn of the Deva Path's powers of gravity-manipulation, allowing it to attract or repel any person, object or jutsu. After an eventual assist by Choza and his son, Choji Akimichi, who first destroy the Asura Path and then attack the Deva Path, Kakashi learns of a time delay of five seconds between Pain's consecutive attacks. He sets up a trap with the Akimichis' help, but a still-functioning Asura Path sacrifices itself to foil their efforts. Choza's squad is soon wiped out by the Deva Path, who seemingly strikes a fatal blow on Kakashi before leaving. However, Kakashi survives using his Mangekyo Sharingan ability, Kamui, and using the last of his strength, saves Choji from Asura Path's dying missile by warping it away for him to inform Tsunade about Pain's powers.

160"Mystery of Pain"
Transliteration: "Pein no Nazo" (Japanese: ペインの謎)May 13, 2010

Konoha continues to fight off Pain while the Interrogation Corp fights off Pain's new Animal Path, which barrages them with an assortments of animal summonings. Ibiki Morino tries to torture Pain only to fail due to the corpse not feeling any sort of pain. Meanwhile, Naruto attempts to merge with Fukasaku, so that he can move in Sage Mode while Fukasaku gathers Nature Energy for him. However, Fukasaku is rebuffed by the Nine Tailed Fox, forcing the duo to find an alternate method for Naruto to enter Sage Mode in battle.

161"Surname Is Sarutobi. Given Name, Konohamaru!"
Transliteration: "Sei wa Sarutobi, Na wa Konohamaru!" (Japanese: 姓は猿飛、名は木ノ葉丸!)May 20, 2010

Pain's Naraka Path displays its mysterious power against two leaf shinobi while Konohamaru Sarutobi watches in horror. Pain senses Konohamaru's presence but is interrupted by Ebisu who takes on Pain in order to allow Konohamaru to escape. After seeing Ebisu about to be killed, Konohamaru intervenes and after learning of Naraka's ability, judging souls and then reaping the sinner of their life, with a Shadow Clone, he unleashes the Rasengan and is able to keep Naraka at bay.

162"Pain to the World"
Transliteration: "Sekai ni Itami o" (Japanese: 世界に痛みを)May 27, 2010

As the Inuzuka and Aburame clans battle with Preta Path and Konan respectively, Deva Path meets with Tsunade, who recognizes him as Yahiko. As Naruto learns of the village's situation, Human Path discovers his location and then kills Shizune, transmitting the intel to Deva Path, who, in its frustration with Tsunade, unleashes a giant shockwave on the village, destroying it completely. In the newly formed crater, at the heart of Konoha, Naruto appears with a small armada of toads following Sakura's cries for his return.

163"Explode! Sage Mode"
Transliteration: "Bakuhatsu! Sennin Mōdo" (Japanese: 爆発! 仙人モード)June 3, 2010

Naruto confronts Deva Path as the other five Paths reappear. Asura Path attacks Tsunade and Naruto destroys it, telling Tsunade to leave. She does so and reverts to her old self with Sakura. Naruto charges forward as the toads deal with Animal Path's summons. Naruto fights Preta Path with Frog Kumite and defeats it before speaking to Deva. He reveals that they were both Jiraiya's apprentices and how he only wants peace. Angered with his hypocrisy, Naruto throws a finally completed Rasen-Shuriken at the remaining Paths of Pain.

164"Danger! Sage Mode Limit Reached"
Transliteration: "Pinchi! Kieta Sennin Mōdo" (Japanese: 危機! 消えた仙人モード)June 10, 2010

Naruto successfully begins taking out Pain's bodies one after another, but when his Sage Mode reaches its limit, Pain attempts to take control of the battle. Naruto throws another Rasen-Shuriken but it's absorbed by a revived Preta Path. He manages to kill the Naraka Path, just to get repelled by Deva Path who has just recovered his power. As Deva performs another Shinra Tensei to the toads, Naruto realizes he can't use taijutsu or ninjutsu on the remaining paths, so he will have to fight them using a genjutsu suggested by Fukasaku.

165"Nine-Tails, Captured!"
Transliteration: "Kyūbi Hokaku Kanryō" (Japanese: 九尾捕獲完了)June 17, 2010

As Hinata worries about Naruto, Inoichi and the others try to find the original Pain. Naruto continues to fight back the remaining paths, but is captured by Preta Path. It absorbs his Sage Mode chakra and is petrified due to the uncontrollable Nature Energy. Fukasaku then attempts to trap Pain in a Genjutsu, but is killed. Deva then traps Naruto and informs him of his plan to bring world peace through pain, asking Naruto if he could think up of any other choice. Naruto can't, and Nagato states that his peace is almost among them.

166"Confessions"
Transliteration: "Kokuhaku" (Japanese: 告白)June 24, 2010

Hinata decides to come to Naruto's aid as he is incapacitated by Pain. Despite knowing her overwhelming disadvantage, Hinata confronts Pain in battle. Subsequently, she confesses her love for Naruto. She is ultimately defeated and appears to be fatally stabbed by Pain, causing Naruto's Nine Tailed Fox chakra to go out of control from anger. Meanwhile, Konoha ninja start the search for Pain's controlling body, Nagato.

167"Planetary Devastation"
Transliteration: "Chibaku Tensei" (Japanese: 地爆天星)July 1, 2010

Naruto enters his Four-Tailed form and attacks Pain, who manages to repel his attacks. Angered even further, Naruto continues his transformation into a Six-Tailed form. Pain decides to fall back and activate his Chibaku Tensei technique, creating a miniature moon in the sky formed from the earth, which traps Naruto inside. However, Naruto breaks free of it, now in an Eight-Tailed form. Consumed in hate, Naruto prepares to completely release the Nine-Tailed Fox, but the Fourth Hokage appears and stops him.

168"The Fourth Hokage"
Transliteration: "Yondaime Hokage" (Japanese: 四代目火影)July 15, 2010

Minato appears within Naruto's psyche and reveals that Tobi was the one behind the Nine-Tails' attack on the village 16 years ago, theorizing that he's just using Pain for himself. He re-activates Naruto's seal to suppress the fox's chakra, and leaves, placing his faith in his son. Naruto confronts Deva Path and manages to find Nagato through his Sage Mode. They fight again and Naruto breaks through his Shinra Tensei to launch a final Rasengan at Pain, overcoming his 5 second time limit. It connects.

169"The Two Students"
Transliteration: "Futari no Deshi" (Japanese: ふたりの弟子)July 22, 2010

Naruto defeats Deva Pain with his final Rasengan and then uses his Chakra Receivers in Sage Mode to find Nagato. He then heads off as Sakura finishes healing Hinata. Inoichi tries to stop Naruto from going in alone, but Shikaku agrees with Naruto, to Inoichi's dismay. Naruto finds Nagato and Konan, preparing to fight them out of anger. However, he remembers in Jiraiya's belief for a peaceful world and decides not to harm them. Nagato then asks how Naruto can still believe in Jiraiya's "peace" after all that has happened.

170"Big Adventure! The Quest for the Fourth Hokage's Legacy - Part 1"
Transliteration: "Daibōken! Yondaime no Isan o Sagase - Zenpen" (Japanese: 大冒険! 四代目の遺産を探せ・前編)July 29, 2010

The story goes back to right before the start of the final rounds of the Chūnin Exam. As Naruto trains in preparation for his upcoming match, he hears Jiraiya speak of “the Fourth Hokage’s legacy". Using information from Guy, Naruto, Sakura and Team 10 head to the Honegami Grounds, where they are instructed by a disguised Guy to enter and complete the obstacle course and obtain the Secret Technique. Meanwhile Hidden Rain Ninja begin their pursuit.

171"Big Adventure! The Quest for the Fourth Hokage's Legacy - Part 2"
Transliteration: "Daibōken! Yondaime no Isan o Sagase - Kōhen" (Japanese: 大冒険! 四代目の遺産を探せ・後編)July 29, 2010

Naruto and the others face the oncoming challenges in order to find the Secret Technique and break the Fourth Hokage's record, but Naruto’s impulsive action leads the group into various troubles. They are attacked by the Rain Ninja, but unknown to them, are saved by Sasuke. They eventually find the scroll which reads: "There is no shortcut in the ninja way". The phrase that becomes Naruto's motto. The story ends as the final rounds of the Chūnin Exam begin the next day.

172"Meeting"
Transliteration: "Deai" (Japanese: 出逢い)August 5, 2010

Returning to the present series, Nagato waits for Naruto to answer his question and Nagato recalls his two moments of pain, the first of which being when his parents were killed by Leaf Ninja and when Nagato's Rinnegan Eye was activated, killing the two ninja. He then tells Naruto about how he met Konan and Yahiko, all three of them having to resort to thievery to stay alive. After seeing Hanzo the Salamander battle the Three Sannin, they set out to find the three ninja so that they can be taught ninjutsu.

173"Origin of Pain"
Transliteration: "Pein Tanjō" (Japanese: ペイン誕生)August 12, 2010

Nagato continues talking to Naruto and describes his second pain. Nagato, Yahiko and Konan were taught ninjutsu by Jiraiya, but after he left, they grew up to start an organization, led by Yahiko, to bring peace to the Hidden Rain. Hanzo decides that Yahiko's group is a threat to his ruling and teams up with Danzo to kidnap Konan. Hanzo orders Nagato to kill Yahiko if he wants her to live and Yahiko sacrfices himself for Konan's sake, horrifying Nagato and forcing him into the crippled state he's in today.

174"Tale of Naruto Uzumaki"
Transliteration: "Uzumaki Naruto Monogatari" (Japanese: うずまきナルト物語)August 19, 2010

With Nagato's story done, Naruto tells him his answer, declaring that he will not abandon the legacy of his master, and that he will keep striving for peace no matter what pain he is put through. Nagato reflects on what Naruto says, thinking back to his final days as one of Jiraiya's students, and ultimately decides to believe in him. Showed the errors of his past ways, Nagato begins to perform a technique that will revive all those that he killed in the Hidden Leaf.

175"Hero of the Hidden Leaf"
Transliteration: "Konoha no Eiyū" (Japanese: 木ノ葉の英雄)August 26, 2010

Nagato finishes reviving everyone he had killed and dies due to running out of chakra. He entrusts his dreams to Naruto and Konan likewise decides to believe in him. After retrieving Nagato and Yahiko's bodies, she gives Naruto a bouquet of flowers symbolizing the hope Naruto represents. After erecting a memorial for Jiraiya, Naruto returns to the village and is, after years of pain and isolation, finally heralded as a hero.

197"The Sixth Hokage Danzo"
Transliteration: "Rokudaime Hokage Danzō" (Japanese: 六代目火影ダンゾウ)February 10, 2011

Danzo is appointed as acting Hokage and orders for Sasuke to be eliminated. As Naruto, Sakura and Sai discuss what to do, Omoi and Karui confront them, demanding information on Sasuke, who they learn is now an Akatsuki member. Madara then tells Taka that Killer Bee had deceived them and was never actually captured. He also tells them of Konoha's recent destruction, Naruto's increased abilities and the Five Kage Summit, which Danzo will attend.

198"Five Kage Summit's Eve"
Transliteration: "Gokage Kaidan Zen'ya" (Japanese: 五影会談前夜)February 10, 2011

Sasuke decides that he wants to assassinate Danzo, while Karui interrogates Naruto on Sasuke. Naruto refuses to give out information and tells her that she can take her anger out on him instead, which she does until Sai finally intervenes and stops her. Later, Naruto tells Kakashi and Yamato he intends to ask the Raikage to change his mind about killing Sasuke, an idea which they are reluctant to. But as Naruto tells them the Fourth Hokage professed his belief in him, Kakashi agrees to escort Naruto to the Five Kage Summit.

199"Enter the Five Kage!"
Transliteration: "Gokage Tōjō!" (Japanese: 五影登場!)February 17, 2011

The five Kage depart from their villages, accompanied by two bodyguards, and Danzo is attacked by a group of assassins. He uncovers his Sharingan and wipes out all his attackers effortlessly while Kakashi, Yamato and Naruto depart, tailing Samui's team. Zetsu's white half guides Taka to the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron, a neutral snowy nation defended by samurai. Naruto, Kakashi and Yamato confront the Raikage and Naruto begins to ask him to pardon Sasuke.

200"Naruto's Plea"
Transliteration: "Naruto no Tangan" (Japanese: ナルトの嘆願)February 24, 2011

Naruto tries to convince the Raikage, A, to stop the order of execution on Sasuke Uchiha, but he refuses and continues on his way to the Kage Summit. After White Zetsu shows Sasuke who Danzo is, all the five Kage finish gathering and commenced their meeting. They begin to discuss the growing issue of the Akatsuki until their mediator, Mifune, suggests that the five Villages make the world's first Shinobi Alliance, of which Danzo should be the leader.

201"Painful Decision"
Transliteration: "Kujū no Ketsudan" (Japanese: 苦渋の決断)March 3, 2011

In Konoha, Sai confronts Sakura, explaining to her that the reason Naruto has been so persistent on bringing back Sasuke is because he has always been in love with her. Realizing she's inflicted pain upon Naruto, Sakura departs, intending to speak with him. At the Summit, the Mizukage's guard, Ao, discovers Danzo's Sharingan and accuses him of using his powers to manipulate Mifune's decision. At that moment, White Zetsu appears, announcing Sasuke's arrival at the Summit. Meanwhile, Madara confronts Naruto.

202"Racing Lightning"
Transliteration: "Hashiru Ikazuchi" (Japanese: 疾走る雷)March 10, 2011

Yamato and Kakashi restrain Madara, but he insists he merely intends to speak with Naruto. At the Summit, samurai begin to search for and attack Sasuke. A and his guards, C and Darui, leave the conference room and begin to fight, while Gaara questions the other Kage about their own morality. Meanwhile, Sasuke takes out C with genjutsu, while A manages to survive an exceptionally powerful strike from Jugo in his Second Level Curse Mark form and retaliates, defeating Jugo. As Darui battles Suigetsu, Sasuke and A commence their duel.

203"Sasuke's Ninja Way"
Transliteration: "Sasuke no Nindō" (Japanese: サスケの忍道)March 17, 2011

Madara tells Naruto about the two sons of the Sage of the Six Paths, who are the forefathers of the Uchiha and Senju clans, revealing that the Uchiha's history of vengeance is now coursing through Sasuke's veins. He says that the only one who could stop him is Naruto, who has inherited the Senju's Will of Fire, before vanishing. A continues to pummel Sasuke until he unleashes his Susano'o, which Gaara saves him from. Gaara asks Sasuke to stop what he is doing to no avail, being forced to launch a combined assault on him with Kankuro, Temari and Darui, bringing Susano'o to a higher level.

204"Power of the Five Kage"
Transliteration: "Gokage no Chikara" (Japanese: 五影の実力)March 24, 2011

As Killer Bee decides to meet his Enka teacher Kin, Sasuke uses his Susano'o to destroy the pillars in the room, making the ceiling collapse. Sasuke and Karin enter the summit room, where Danzo uses Sasuke's arrival as a chance to escape and Ao pursues him. Already severely weakened from his other battles, Mei nearly kills Sasuke, but Zetsu saves him via his Spore Jutsu. Onoki then finishes Sasuke off, only to discover that he was saved by Madara, who decides to let them in on his Moon's Eye Plan.

205"Declaration of War"
Transliteration: "Sensenfukoku" (Japanese: 宣戦布告)March 31, 2011

Madara explains that the Sage of the Six Paths was once the Jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails. When the Sage died, he tore the Ten-Tails power into 9 separate parts which became the Tailed Beasts and sealed its body inside of the moon. Madara claims he wishes to revive the Ten-Tails, become its Jinchuriki, and then cast an Infinite Tsukuyomi on the entire world, making him the ruler. The Kage refuse to hand over Killer Bee and Naruto, so Madara declares the Fourth Great Ninja War on them, before leaving. The Kage then prepare to form a Shinobi Alliance as Sakura, Kiba, Lee and Sai meet up with Naruto in the Land of Iron.

206"Sakura's Feelings"
Transliteration: "Sakura no Omoi" (Japanese: サクラの想い)April 7, 2011

While Killer Bee practices Enka with Kin-sensei, he is approached by Kisame. Meanwhile, Sakura tells Naruto she loves him,but stating that she has given up on Sasuke for good made him not believe her and she leaves to go looking for Sasuke with Kiba, Lee and Sai. As A, the Raikage, is elected to be leader of the Joint Shinobi Alliance, Bee continues to fight Kisame with the assistance of Kin. However, Samehada begins draining Bee's chakra substantially and grows much larger. In an apparent lull in the fight, Kisame introduces himself to Kin and Bee.

207"The Tailed Beast vs. The Tailless Tailed Beast"
Transliteration: "Bijū VS O no nai Bijū" (Japanese: 尾獣VS尾のない尾獣)April 14, 2011

Danzo's bodyguard, Fu, uses a Mind Transfer trap on Ao, trapping him inside of a puppet while Foo commandeers his body, hoping to steal his Byakugan for Danzo. However Mizukage and Chojuro arrive and help Ao reclaim his body. Meanwhile, Kisame fuses with Samehada and traps Bee inside of a Water Dome. Kisame manages to beat Bee, but Samehada decides to betray him, favoring Bee's chakra over Kisame's. The Raikage then shows up and him and Bee decapitate Kisame together.

208"As One's Friend"
Transliteration: "Tomo to shite" (Japanese: 親友として)April 21, 2011

As Jugo and Suigetsu are caught by the samurai, a clone of Sai confronts Naruto and tells him about Sakura's intentions to kill Sasuke herself in order to free Naruto of his burden. Meanwhile, Danzo, Fu and Torune confront Madara, where both of Danzo's subordinates are sucked in by Madara. While Gaara tells Naruto that he must do whatever he must to save his friend, Madara releases Sasuke and Karin in front of Danzo, who reveals his right arm to be covered in Sharingan.

209"Danzo's Right Arm"
Transliteration: "Danzō no Migiude" (Japanese: ダンゾウの右腕)April 28, 2011

Kakashi decides to stop Sakura from fighting Sasuke himself, telling Yamato and Naruto to go home. But Naruto has a panic attack from the prospect of his friends murdering Sasuke and passes out. Meanwhile, Sasuke confronts Danzo, becoming angered by the Sharingan he's implanted into his arm. Sasuke attacks, and seemingly kills, Danzo many times, but he keeps reviving himself. Whenever he does this, though, Karin notices one of his Sharingan begin to close.

210"The Forbidden Visual Jutsu"
Transliteration: "Kinjirareta Dōjutsu" (Japanese: 禁じられた瞳術)May 5, 2011

Sasuke places Danzo under genjutsu but Danzo activates a curse mark he had cast upon Sasuke earlier which renders Sasuke immobile. When Danzo prepares to finish him off, Sasuke's memories of Itachi make him overpower the curse and break it. Madara realizes Danzo's jutsu which makes him invincible is a forbidden jutsu known as Izanagi. Karin realizes every Sharingan eye on Danzo's right arm lives for about 60 seconds while Izanagi is activated. Danzo and Sasuke begin to fight fiercely to see which one tires out first.

211"Danzo Shimura"
Transliteration: "Shimura Danzō" (Japanese: 志村ダンゾウ)May 12, 2011

Sasuke gains the upper hand over Danzo, having tricked him into using up Izanagi. Danzo takes Karin hostage but Sasuke shoots his Chidori blade through them both, fatally wounding Danzo in the process. Danzo tries to retreat but Madara blocks him. Desperately, Danzo activates his fail-safe technique, intending to seal Sasuke and Madara away into his corpse. As he dies, Danzo recalls trying to catch up to Hiruzen, but never being able to, dying without attaining his dream of becoming Hokage just like he did.

212"Sakura's Resolve"
Transliteration: "Sakura no Kakugo" (Japanese: サクラの覚悟)May 19, 2011

Sakura, Lee and Kiba are blocked by Sai, but Sakura manages to knock them all out and move along with her plan of trying to kill Sasuke. As she reminisces about Sasuke, Madara seals Danzo's corpse inside himself and disappears. Sasuke prepares to finish off Karin, who recalls the first time she met Sasuke during the Chunin Exam's Forest of Death, but Sakura arrives, stopping Sasuke and claiming that she has abandoned the Leaf Village and wants to join him.

213"Lost Bonds"
Transliteration: "Ushinawareta Kizuna" (Japanese: 失われた絆)May 26, 2011

Naruto wakes up after dreaming about Sasuke. He continues to reminisce about Sasuke, remembering how determined he had been to stop Sasuke. After losing Jiraiya, Naruto feels he has somewhat understood Sasuke's explanation about the pain from losing bonds. When he hears from Yamato that Kakashi has gone to stop Sasuke, he tricks Yamato by using a Shadow Clone and escapes. As he runs towards where Sasuke is, he thinks about what Jiraiya had told him about hatred, and what he should do as Sasuke's friend.

214"The Burden"
Transliteration: "Seōbeki Omoni" (Japanese: 背負うべき重荷)June 2, 2011

As Kakashi heads towards Sakura, Sasuke tells her that his new ambition is to slaughter the Hidden Leaf. He asks her to prove her loyalty and love by killing Karin. However, Sasuke tries to kill her only to be stopped by Kakashi. The two fight, with Sasuke considerably weakened by his previous fight with Danzo. When she is done healing Karin, Sakura tries to attack Sasuke from behind, but hesitates. Sakura is only saved from certain death when Naruto intercepts Sasuke's attack.

215"Two Fates"
Transliteration: "Shukumei no Futari" (Japanese: 宿命のふたり)June 9, 2011

Naruto confronts Sasuke and berates him for attacking a member of his team. Sasuke scoffs in return, stating he is no longer a part of Team 7, and then states his ultimate goal is to destroy the Leaf Village which, by doing so, would purify the Uchiha of all the wrongdoings that had befallen them. Kakashi realizes that the repeated hatred coursing through the Uchiha's history has made Sasuke what he is now. He resolves to take care of Sasuke on his own, but is restrained by Naruto, who runs at Sasuke with his Rasengan. The two clash in a manner similar to what occurred at the Final Valley. Naruto reveals to Sasuke that, while he used to be alone, he and Iruka pulled him from the brink. He was hesitant to approach Sasuke because he was jealous of his superior abilities, but he bonded with him all the same.

216"High-Level Shinobi"
Transliteration: "Ichiryū no Shinobi" (Japanese: 一流の忍)June 16, 2011

A few flashbacks occur showing the friendships and competitions that Naruto and Sasuke had over the years. Then after their brief clash, Naruto tells Sasuke that he is prepared to die in their final battle. This causes Sasuke to tell Naruto that he will never change and that he would eventually destroy the Hidden Leaf village. Madara then takes Sasuke and both leave the area. Naruto suddenly falls ill for a short moment from Sakura’s poisoned kunai but she heals him. Meanwhile, after Naruto is given the antidote, we see Sasuke demand that he have Itachi's eyes transplanted into him by Madara.

217"The Infiltrator"
Transliteration: "Sennyūsha" (Japanese: 潜入者)June 23, 2011

Yamato arrives and berates Naruto for getting away from him. Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto head back to their village, awakening Sai, Kiba and Lee on the way, who were still out from Sakura's sneak attack. The Raikage and his escort return to their village, where they hold a council with their feudal lord explaining what occurred at the Five Kage Summit and what must now be done to confront the Akatsuki in the upcoming war. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Kisame and Madara had planned to infiltrate the Cloud Village to gather intel on them. White Zetsu has the ability to clone himself by absorbing someone's chakra and used that to his advantage during Kisame's fight with Killer Bee. The real Kisame is now hidden inside of Samehada, showing the infiltration was a success.

218"The Five Great Nations Mobilize"
Transliteration: "Ugokidasu Taikoku" (Japanese: 動き出す大国)June 30, 2011

The Feudal Lords agree to formally ratify the Allied Shinobi Force. Gaara holds a meeting and discusses what happened at the Five Kage summit, and everyone was shocked upon hearing Kakashi's message about Danzo's death. Naruto and the others arrive back in the village, with Naruto telling Shikamaru to gather all their friends, as he has something he wants to say. Konohamaru presses Naruto to do an interview with him, but Naruto heads forward into the village, gazing at the rebuilding process with a smile on his face.

219"Kakashi Hatake, the Hokage"
Transliteration: "Hokage Hatake Kakashi" (Japanese: 火影はたけカカシ)July 7, 2011

In Konoha, Naruto among his friends insists that he's the only one who can handle Sasuke without giving them any information about what happened, leaving them irritated. Guy challenges Kakashi again for another match knowing it will be their last because Kakashi is going to be the next Hokage. While the elders, Shikaku and Kakashi are attending the conference to appointing the Hokage, Tsunade regains consciousness and is reinstated as the Hokage.

220"Prophecy of the Great Lord Elder"
Transliteration: "Ōgama Sennin no Yogen" (Japanese: 大ガマ仙人の予言)July 21, 2011

Gerotora recalls their agreement with Jiraya that he will be stored inside of Naruto and asks the Great Elder for advice. However, instead of advising Gerotora, the Great Elder requests him to summon Naruto. Back in Konoha, Tsunade forms a meeting which discuss the upcoming war against Akatsuki. Naruto, who is looking to go to the ramen house, is suddenly chased by Konohamaru. At the ramen house, Naruto is about to start eating his ramen when he is Reverse-Summoned to Mt. Myoboku by Fukasaku. The Great Elder tells Naruto that he will meet an octopus and an enemy that uses the power of its eyes, pertaining to Sasuke which Naruto already knows about. Gerotora asks Naruto to sign the scroll that will allow Naruto to control the Kyuubi's chakra, but Naruto becomes hesitant.

221"Storage"
Transliteration: "Kurairi" (Japanese: 蔵入り)July 28, 2011

After much considering Naruto accepts and signs the scroll, allowing Naruto to the Kyuubi's chakra. Kabuto meets up with Madara at his hideout, but Madara refuses to listen and goes in to kill him. At that moment, Kabuto uses the Impure World Resurrection Technique to revive five caskets containing Itachi, Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, and Nagato, much to Madara's surprise. He offers Madara to join forces by reviving whomever he wishes and fighting on his behalf, in return for receiving Sasuke's body. When Madara threatens to refuse, a sixth casket whose contents are unseen is summoned, which visibly disturbs Madara and forces him to accept, although on the condition that Kabuto will receive Sasuke's body after the war, which Kabuto agrees upon. Anko and a group of ninja who are tracking Kabuto appear to be led to Kabuto and Madara's location on purpose.

222"The Five Kage's Decision"
Transliteration: "Gokage no Ketsudan" (Japanese: 五影の決断)July 28, 2011

The Five Kages meet up to discuss about the Fourth Great Ninja War, but what Lady Tsunade doesn't know is that they don't want to use Naruto or Bee in the war, and just hide them away safely. Lady Tsunade and the Raikage meet up to discuss about the situation, but Raikage was already planning to send them into battle just in case. Naruto and Captain Yamato are sent to a "resort" and to meet up with the "octopus" like the prophecy the Great Lord Elder told him.

243"Land Ahoy! Is this the Paradise Island?"
Transliteration: "Jōriku! Rakuen no Shima?" (Japanese: 上陸! 楽園の島?)January 5, 2012 244"Killer Bee and Motoi"
Transliteration: "Kirābī to Motoi" (Japanese: キラービーとモトイ)January 12, 2012 245"Naruto vs. The Nine-Tails!!"
Transliteration: "Naruto VS Kyūbi!!" (Japanese: ナルトVS九尾!!)January 19, 2012 246"The Orange Sparkle"
Transliteration: "Orenji-iro no Kagayaki" (Japanese: オレンジ色の輝き)January 26, 2012

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