Naruto’s and Sakura’s combined skills force Kakashi to use his Sharingan right off the bat. Naruto masterfully unleashes his jutsu one after another.

Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.

Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she’s now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.

Teams Kakashi and Guy take a short rest. Granny Chiyo watches Naruto dozing off and is reminded of Sasori as a child. The pursuit resumes, and when Chiyo wonders why Naruto puts such effort into...

All of Konoha mourns the tragic loss of Asuma Sarutobi. Knowing that Hidan and Kakuzu are bound to return, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino prepare to head off to take revenge upon the duo while Kakashi takes temporary leadership of the team.

Naruto challenges Kakuzu with his new technique, the Rasen Shuriken, but can he defeat Kakuzu when his technique isn't even complete yet?

Naruto runs into unexpected difficulties as he trains with Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. While Kakashi's group searches for Guren and her gang, Yukimaru seems to develop interest in Naruto.

Yūkimaru summons the Three-Tailed and immobilizes it while Guren tries to capture it. It manages to break free and attack. Kakashi tells Naruto to investigate the lake, while they find Rinji and the others. Rinji and his men prepare an ambush, but Hinata, Sakura, and Sai arrive to avert it. Naruto summons Gamakichi and Gamatatsu and approach the Three-Tails, where they see Yūkimaru and learn of his allegiance to Guren. Trying to save Guren, Yūkimaru tries to suppress the Three-Tails once more, before managing to escape with her.

After Sasuke reverses Orochimaru's body-switch with his Sharingan, he releases one of Orochimaru's test subjects, Suigetsu. Determined to put together a team to achieve his goals, he decides to request Suigetsu's assistance. Suigetsu agrees, but only if he's willing make a detour to the Land of Waves first.

Obito ignores Kakashi’s order to continue with the mission and leaves to save Rin, who was kidnapped by the Rock ninja. But the enemies detect Obito’s arrival and defeat him. Kakashi arrives at the last minute and saves Obito…

While the members of Team Hebi head towards Itachi's location, Jiraiya infiltrates the Hidden Rain Village in hopes of gathering information on the Akatsuki leader. Jiraiya captures two Rain ninja and interrogates them about Pain, but what he learns shocks even him.

Naruto, Sai, and Yamato arrive to save Hotaru and Utakata from the attacking ninja who they discover are Anbu from the Hidden Mist Village. Yamato attempts to negotiate alone with the head of the Mist Anbu, Tsurugi, and after their discussion, Tsurugi talks to Utakata alone. Tsurugi attempts to convince Utakata to return to the Hidden Mist Village but the latter refuses and remembers the horrible pain he suffered at the hands of his former master.

Shikamaru tries to decipher the dying message Jiraiya left before his death but cannot figure out what it says. Shikamaru asks for Naruto's help, thinking he might know the code. Can the saddened Naruto decipher Jiraiya's dying message?

While she and Neji prepare to visit an old man who makes ninja weapons, Tenten remembers the first time she visited him alongside Naruto and Neji. Utilizing a strange new weapon she had never seen before, Tenten fought against two ninja who had stolen two of the man's powerful weapons.

A female spy, Hanare, from the Hidden Lock Village (Land of Key) is caught by ANBU pretending to be a musician. She is interrogated. However, the interrogation proves unsuccessful. Slowly, her past is revealed and so is her relationship with Kakashi. Team 7 spy on the two as they go around town, under the impression that the two are dating. After The Lock Village keeps a Leaf Village ninja hostage, they exchange Hanare for the ninja. It is then revealed that Hanare has a special ability, causing a large chase to occur. In the end, Kakashi lets Hanare free. The musician seen at the beginning entertaining Konoha ninja reminds Kakashi of Hanare which prompts the flashback.

Naruto and Sakura learn that Danzo has been made Hokage and that his first order is to eliminate Sasuke. The two go to Sai and inquire about Danzo, but Sai reveals that a curse mark given to all members of the Foundation prevent him from revealing anything about the new Hokage. Soon afterward, Karui and Darui attack them, demanding information about Sasuke.

As they continue their voyage towards the Land of Lightning, Naruto, Aoba, Guy and Yamato sail through a thick fog. To pass the time, Yamato tells Aoba and Naruto some ghost stories (much to Naruto's dislike).

Inside his mind, Naruto continues his battle against Nine Tails to take control of its immense power.

Minato is forced to use his Flying Raijin jutsu and leave his wife Kushina behind to save their newborn son, Naruto, from a masked assailant.