While Ebisu trains Naruto at a hotspring, he spots someone trying to peep on the women bathing! Ebisu attacks, but it doesn't go quite as planned. Naruto then demands that the stranger become his teacher instead, but he's going to need some convincing. Does Naruto have any special Jutsu for this situation?

While Jiraiya attempts to teach Naruto the Summoning Jutsu, while doing research as well, Dosu learns the hard way why Gaara is so dangerous. Meanwhile, Baki and Kabuto secretly meet and reveal a sinister plot against Konoha. When Hayate discovers this dark secret, he attempts to warn the Hokage. However, he'll have to get through Baki first!

Sakura goes to visit Sasuke and Lee in the hospital, along the way, she meets up with Ino and the two make the trip together. Lee tries to resume his training with limited success, making Sakura worry more about him and Sasuke.

Since Naruto is having little to no success at summoning frogs, Jiraiya figures that if Naruto's to learn how summon Kyubi's chakra, he's going to need to be put into a life-threating situation. After having Naruto do a bunch of tasks, he throws Naruto off a cliff. Naruto's only hope of survival lies within an encounter with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox himself. But, will Kyubi be willing to help him?

Overjoyed at his success, Naruto manages to enrage Gamabunta. With him not willing to accept that Naruto was able to summon him, Naruto challenges Gamabunta to accept him as his subordinate if he is able to stay on his back until sundown.

Due to the events with Gamabunta, Naruto is now stuck in the hospital. Shikamaru unexpectedly pays him a visit, saying the two of them are the types who never get girls to visit them. Meanwhile, Gaara approaches an unconscious Rock Lee, with the full intention of taking his life. Luckily for Lee, Naruto and Shikamaru are there to protect him. However, can they save even themselves after learning Gaara's shocking secret? What is it that Naruto has realized about Gaara?

Waking up late, Naruto hurries to the stadium where the Chuunin matches will be held, along the way he stops at his old training ground and meets up with Hinata. Naruto tells Hinata that he's afraid he'll lose, but with Hinata's encouragement and sort-of-confession of her feelings, Naruto is filled with renewed confidence and proceeds to the stadium leaving a shellshocked Hinata in his wake. Now Naruto must try to make it the stadium before it's too late, and Konohamaru has a plan to help him out.

The opening ceremony to the Final Matches begins and Sasuke is missing, worrying Naruto. The ceremony ends and Naruto starts his fight with Neji. Will Naruto's confidence lead him to a victory or are Neji's skills to much for him? And where is Sasuke?

Naruto begins his assault with his Shadow Clones but Neji analyses Naruto's actions and determines what he believes to be the real one. Unable to figure out why Naruto won't admit defeat, he takes off his headband and reveals a mysterious mark on his forehead. What is the truth about his hatred towards the main family of the Hyuuga Clan?

When it looks as if Naruto can't win, Neji continues to tell him that he cannot change his fate and that he has no idea what it feels like to carry a seal that cannot be removed. Naruto thinks back about his childhood and how he was treated because of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. However, that same curse may prove to be his only chance at winning...

With Sasuke still absent, and everyone anxiously anticipating his match against Gaara, the tournament is forced to move on to the next round. Meanwhile, Neji learns the shocking truth about his father.

Shikamaru takes on Temari, only he doesn't want to fight. Can the lazy Shikamaru even last the round? Or is there more to Shikamaru than meets the eye?

It's time for Sasuke's match against Gaara, only Sasuke has yet to show up. Normally they'd disqualify him, but everyone's anxiously awaiting the match. Therefore, they give Sasuke a time limit before disqualifying him. As time slowly begins to run out, only one question remains on everyone's mind...where's Sasuke?

Sasuke's match against Gaara finally begins! Gaara seems to have the upper hand at the beginning, until Sasuke shows off his newly found taijutsu techniques. Gaara is reliving the battle against Rock Lee all over again, only this time he's facing an opponent who can use more than simple taijutsu attacks.

With Gaara's ultimate defense in place, Sasuke's only hope of winning lies within the move Kakashi taught him...Chidori. But, how will Gaara react when Sasuke causes him to bleed?

Sasuke's match is interrupted when Orochimaru puts his plan into action. Temari and Kankuro are ordered to get Gaara to safety until he recovers, leaving Sasuke to chase after them. War has begun!

Knowing that Sasuke is in over his head, Kakashi sends Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru, being guided by a dog named Pakkun, to stop Sasuke from pursuing Gaara.

Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Pakkun are being chased down by several Sound ninja. Shikamaru decides to stop and try to hold them off so the others can catch up to Sasuke without fear of pursuit. Shikamaru is the logical choice because of his Shadow Possession Jutsu...needless to say, Shikamaru's not too thrilled by this.

The battle of kings has begun as Orochimaru has summoned some unexpected help. How can the Third Hokage handle this uncomfortable situation? Meanwhile, Sasuke finally catches up with Kakurou, Gaara and Temari...

While Naruto and Sakura continue to catch up to Sasuke, Temari trys to stall Sasuke long enough for Kankuro to get Gaara to safety, but Sasuke doesn't have time to waste on her! Meanwhile, The Third Hokage continues his battle with Orochimaru and is ready to use a move that not even he knows...

An unlikely ally appears to help Sasuke and allows him to continue to pursue Gaara. Meanwhile, the Hokage prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to rid his village of Orochimaru!

While Shino and Kankuro fight the match they should've fought back during the Chuunin Exam, Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun slowly catch up to Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke has finally caught up with Gaara and Temari, but is he ready to face true horror when Gaara reveals his demon form?

Sasuke struggles to keep up with Gaara's monstrous capacity. Only able to use Chidori twice in normal circumstances, Sasuke remembers that tragic day when his family died and realises he must risk the use of Chidori beyond his limit if he is to defeat Gaara. That is, if he can...

As Sasuke is about to be defeated, Naruto and Sakura show up to save him. With this Gaara begins to have flashbacks of his childhood. What happened in Gaara's past to make him experience so much suffering?

Gaara continues to talk about his past. When Gaara states that Naruto can't become stronger when he fights for everyone else, Naruto recalls that if he didn't meet his friends, he would be the same as Gaara. Realizing that he has to protect his friends, Naruto overcomes his fear and decides to take on Gaara.

Naruto and Gaara continue their fight. Naruto begins to get an advantage, and Gaara transforms into the final form of Shukaku of the Sand. As he begins to put the squeeze on Naruto, Naruto summons Gamabunta Oyabun, and his comeback begins. Once again, Naruto begins to get an advantage, but Gaara casts the technique of fake sleep, releasing the full power of Shukaku. Now that the demon is free, what will Naruto do?

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.

Two mysterious ninja infiltrate Konoha, and one of them bares the Sharingan. Just what are these two after? Why has Itachi Uchiha returned to Konoha?

Kakashi takes on Itachi, with both of them using the Sharingan. However, Kakashi soon realizes that he stands no chance against the legendary ninja. Itachi reveals that he has not come for his little brother, but instead he's come to do something else...abduct Naruto, and Kyubi as well!

Jiraiya and Naruto begin their search for Tsunade, but are constantly sidetracked by Jiraiya's peeping and hitting on pretty girls. Jiraiya tells Naruto some stories about the 3rd and 4th Hokages. Meanwhile, Sasuke learns that his brother, Itachi, is after Naruto and goes to warn him.

Sasuke remembers the day that Itachi single-handedly wiped out the entire Uchiha clan as he desperately searches for Naruto. However, Itachi and Kisame have already found him.

Jiraiya and Naruto look on as Sasuke takes on Itachi alone. However, when the young ninja is severely outclassed, Jiraiya is forced to step in. Itachi and Kisame try to flee, but Jiraiya isn't about to let them get away so easily.

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?

Jiraiya gives Naruto the task of rotating the water in a balloon until it pops. Naruto is confident that he will accomplish this stage of the training by night, but soon learns it's not as easy as expected.

After passing stage one of the training, Naruto moves into stage two: power training. Jiraiya realizes that, like him, Naruto has a hard time concentrating, so he paints a spiral in the palm of Naruto's hand to help him to focus. With the aid of the spiral and a quick flashback to Iruka-sensei, Naruto completes stage two. Meanwhile, Tsunade's luck has become uncommonly good, which worries her. After being talked into sightseeing by her assistant, Tsunade meets Orochimaru...and she doesn't look at all pleased.

Naruto continues his training of the Rasengan, having mastered the stages of spin and power. The final stage proves to be the most difficult: control. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kabuto accost Tsunade and ask her to restore Orochimaru's arms. If she restores Orochimaru's arms, he promises to use his Rebirth of the Impure World kinjutsu to revive her lost lover and little brother.

Jiraiya and Naruto catch up to Tsunade, whereupon she learns that Konoha wants her to be the 5th Hokage. She refuses the title, angering Naruto, who mistakes her for being a weakling. Naruto learns first-hand how strong she really is. Naruto decides now is the time to try out the Rasengan, only he hasn't perfected it yet.

Naruto makes a bet with Tsunade, that if he can master the Rasengan in one week, she'll give him a necklace belonging the to the First Hokage. However, Shizune reveals some startling information. Everybody, except for Tsunade, who's worn that necklace has died the next day!

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?

Because Orochimaru lied to her about not attacking Konoha, Tsunade begins her onslaught against him and Kabuto. Kabuto eats a food pill and begins to attack Tsunade with his medical techniques but are they enough to defeat her? Will Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto show up in time?

With Tsunade still paralized with fear and Naruto being a low level ninja, it is up to Shizune and Jiraiya to defeat Kabuto and Orochimaru. Orochimaru and Kabuto summon two giant snakes while Jiraiya summons Gamakichi, who does nothing. Naruto tries to help Jiraya, but he too only summons a small frog that also does nothing. Orochimaru and Kabuto attack and Shizune is easily defeated. Naruto tries Rasengan but fails. Can he master the technique before Kabuto does anything to Tsunade? How far will he go to master it?

Naruto finally lands a Rasengan into Kabuto's stomach, but not before Kabuto assures Naruto's certain death. Can Tsunade save him and protect him from Orochimaru?

With Tsunade in her current conidtion, and Jiraiya still under the effects of the drug, Tsunade and Jiraiya must work together to defeat Orochimaru. And with all three ninja having summoned their signature beasts, it's sure to be one heck of a battle!

The group are on their way back to Konoha when they stop at a town with hotsprings. Unknown to them they are being watched by men looking for Tsunade. Naruto's room gets raided and the necklace he was given goes missing with nothing but a ransom note left behind. What does it all mean? Can Naruto get the necklace back and why are they looking for Tsunade in the first place?

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.

Konohamaru locks himself in the office used by the 3rd to stop them from replacing his grandfather, the previous Hokage. Tsunade spends the day locked out of her office and researches a way to heal Rock Lee so he has a better chance of surviving the operation,

As Lee decides whether or not to go through with the operation, Gai decides to give him some motivation. Meanwhile, Tsunade frantically struggles to increase the operation's success rate.

After their mission, Naruto persuades Sakura and Sasuke to help him unmask their sensei, Kakashi. However, Squad 7 soon finds out that this is easier said than done...

Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke find out their newest mission will be without Kakashi who has responsibilities elsewhere. Tsunade sends them to the Tea Country to protect someone, but the details are vague at best. Along the way they meet Idate Morino who causes the group a lot of trouble, especially when they discover who they have to protect!

The trio continue to follow Idate while fending off attacks by three Shinobi sent to kill him. They find out later just how important winning this race is to the Wasabi clan's future...

While the Shinobi that is working for Wasarabi begins to beat up Idate, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura finally reach the same island. However, some old enemies appear to get in their way once again! Will they manage to find Idate and rescue him before its too late?