Naruto takes out his rage on Haku, who doesn't stand a chance. However, Naruto realises that Haku is the boy he met back at the forest. Haku tells Naruto the story of his past and asks for Naruto to do him one favour..... Will Naruto do the one thing he could never do just as Haku wishes?

Thinking of Haku, Naruto angrily confronts Zabuza, but he learns that cruel reality is the fate of a ninja.

With so many participants still left, the groups are told that they will be pitted against each other in preliminary matches. Kabuto leaves, then Sasuke is told he has to fight. They know that Sasuke was given the cursed seal and if it takes over they will stop him. Can Sasuke stop the seal from taking over again and still win?

Temari of the Sand Village battles against Tenten from the Leaf Village. After the battle its Shikamaru's turn, but can he defeat an opponent who has already seen his moves once before?

The second-to-last match finally arrives! Rock Lee must face down the mysterious and dangerous Gaara, a ninja who is said to have never been truly injured in a fight before.

As the war draws to a close, Gaara admits his defeat to Naruto, and Orochimaru is forced to retreat as Sarutobi took away his arms. Now, all of the Konoha shinobi gather together to pay their respects to the person whom they respected the most...Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.

Now that Sasuke is in safe hands, Naruto and Jiraiya can continue their search for Tsunade. When they arrive at a city with a festival on the way, Jiraiya and Naruto have some fun, at least until Naruto puts a stain on a man's shirt. Jiraiya uses a new technique that easily defeats the man and offers to teach it to Naruto. What is this new technique and can Naruto master it?

While Naruto continues to try and master the third step, Tsunade continues to think about Orochimaru's offer. Jiraiya tries to convince her by taking her out for a drink, only she slipped a paralyzing potion into his drink while he wasn't looking. Will Tsunade agree to Orochimaru's offer? And will Naruto master the Rasengan before the week is up?

Naruto, Tsunade, and Shizune finally return to Konoha so Tsunade can take over and become Hokage. Konohamaru finds out that Tsunade is the Fifth but refuses to believe it. Naruto then takes Tsunade to the hospital so she can heal Sasuke, Kakashi, and Lee. She heals Sasuke and Kakashi just fine...However, her diagnosis of Rock Lee has heartbreaking consequences for him and his future.

Hospital bound and feeling his pride shattered, Sasuke finds there is only way to redeem himself: Battle Naruto! Meanwhile, the Ino-Shika-Cho Squad sit down for some barbeque to celebrate a special occasion!

Now that word of Sasuke's departure has spread to the Fifth Hokage, she calls upon the newest Chunin, Shikamaru, to put together a squad to bring Sasuke back to the village.

While Naruto and the others go after Sasuke and the other Sound Ninja, Neji is locked in a desperate no-holds-barred battle with Kidomaru.

Faced against the vicious twin duo of Sakon and Ukon, Kiba and Akamaru team up to take them out, using their most powerful jutsu.

Sasame leads Naruto, Jiraiya, and Sakura to Orochimaru's hideout. They send Sasame back to the village because of the danger level. Jiraiya summons Gamakichi to go in first and investigate. The four come to three tunnels. Jiraiya goes off to the right, Naruto and Sakura down the middle and Gamakichi down the left. Will the four of them make it past the traps?

Shizune and her team encounter Mizuki, but it doesn't go as planned! When Ton-ton comes back to warn Tsunade, Naruto takes the initiative to find Shizune with Ton-ton's help. Kakashi arrives and lends Pakkun's assistance to Iruka before departing on a mission of his own. Will it all be enough to save the day?