An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki’s kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.

Chiyo and Kakashi realize that the attack was just a diversion, and that the Akatsuki have already begun the process of extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara.

Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.

Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.

Immediately after Yamato signals Naruto and the others out to the bridge where Orochimaru and Kabuto are waiting, Naruto's chakra begins to boil with the chakra of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Slowly, Naruto grows more tails as Orochimaru taunts him and makes him even more angry. Meanwhile, Yamato remembers Jiraiya speaking of how many tails he has seen Naruto grow. Jiraiya explains more about what happened and more about how Naruto acts when he's in his Nine-Tails form.

Yamato and the team enter Sai's room and confront him while Kabuto makes his way there as well. Sai tells Team Kakashi that not only was he to help with Konoha's destruction but also act as a spy against Orochimaru. Yamato reveals the secret of "Root"- its members were trained like Kirigakure's students in that they had to kill their friends so as to eliminate their emotions. Sakura returns Sai's book to him, remarking that he still has emotions because he treasures it. Sai then tells the group about his bond with his brother. Finally the team decides what to do about Sai's betrayal outside the lair. In doing so, Naruto tells the group about his own bonds and about how far he's willing to go to bring Sasuke back.

Naruto and his clones continue to work on chakra nature manipulation by slicing leaves. After some struggling, Naruto approaches Asuma, who is also a wind type, for advice, after which Asuma gives Naruto's clone a few pointers. Naruto is subsequently able to slice a leaf in half. Asuma and Yamato head out with their teams on new missions. It is revealed that Asuma is the Third Hokage's son and that he is in a relationship with Kurenai. Meanwhile, on a hill overlooking a burnt village, four cloaked figures discuss the awakening of the Fire Country by eliminating the Leaf Village.

Danzou is brought in for questioning after being caught meeting with a young Rain ninja. Sora confronts Asuma, and Asuma admits to having killed Kazuma. He attacks Asuma, his arm once again assuming a demonic form. Afterward, Naruto gets injured while shielding Sora from the attacks of an unknown individual, presumably from Root. Furido then approaches Sora, telling him to kill both Asuma and the Hokage to avenge his father. Later on, Naruto catches Sora going after Tsunade. Sora retreats as Shizune and a few other ninja arrive, but Naruto pursues him. At that moment, a mysterious lightning storm strikes, cutting off power to the entire village.

Asuma apologizes at the grave of the Third Hokage for not understanding his advice concerning what the "king" of the Fire Country is. At the hospital, Naruto and Sai recover, despite Naruto's desire to resume his training. Tsunade receives a report from Kakashi that Akatsuki is on the move. Elsewhere, Yugito Nii, the Two Tails Jinchūriki, struggles against Hidan and Kakuzu and unleashes the Two Tails, but is defeated and captured. Hidan and Kakuzu then turn their attention to the Fire Country for their next target.

Asuma’s team reaches the bounty station and ambushes Hidan. Izumo and Kotetsu attack Hidan, but are unable to kill him despite stabbing his vital organs. Asuma tells his teammates that if they retreat they will be killed and Konoha will be endangered. Shikamaru realizes that Asuma is considering sacrificing himself to help defeat the enemy, based on what he knows of Asuma's shogi strategy. Asuma begins fighting Hidan, while Shikamaru distracts him by forcing him to dodge Shadow Sewing. Hidan cuts Asuma on the cheek and steps into a circle of blood as Asuma uses a jutsu to engulf Hidan in a cloud of ash. Asuma then sets the cloud ablaze, supposedly killing Hidan.

A call from the Akatsuki leader forces Hidan and Kakuzu to fall back, but in the wake of the aftermath, not everyone makes it back to Konoha alive.

In the aftermath of the battle, Teams 7 and 10 return to Konoha. After examining Naruto, Tsunade officially classifies Naruto's new technique as a Forbidden Jutsu and warns Kakashi never to let him use it again. What is the terrible secret of the Rasen Shuriken that has left even Tsunade stunned by its power? Meanwhile, Orochimaru orders Kabuto to search for a woman who will help him reach his goal.

Naruto successfully breaks down the crystal labyrinth with his new jutsu and he and the rest of Team Kakashi come to Kakashi, Kiba and Shino's aide, and rescue Hinata as well. Meanwhile, Kabuto, Guren, Yukimaru and Gozu head to the lake Kabuto and Yukimaru went to before. What could be in the lake that Orochimaru wants?

Yūkimaru falters and the Three-Tails injures Guren. Rinji tells Yūkimaru to suppress the beast to save her, but he is unable to do so. Guren leaves her position and protects Yūkimaru with a Crystal Style shield. Naruto goes out to find Yūkimaru, but ends up fighting the Three-Tails with Guren. Despite their efforts to defeat it, the beast overpowers the two of them, and then it proceeds to swallow them. Meanwhile, Kakashi, Shino and Sai find Yūkimaru unconcious and flee with him, leaving Kabuto frustrated.

The Sealing Team prepared to start sealing the Three-Tails and tell Sai to take Yūkimaru somewhere safe, but he gets attacked by Kabuto's men. Kabuto meanwhile prepares his plans while Lee, Tenten, and Kiba are also attacked. Rinji finds his men and converts them back to his side, ordering them to attack the Sealing Team; they're stopped by Kakashi, Yamato and Shino. Rinji then makes Yūkimaru eat the pills to control the Three-Tails, which Naruto and Guren learn about.

Orochimaru reveals the true, hideous form his body has taken from years of experimenting on his body. Can Sasuke defeat this menacing form, or does Orochimaru still have a few tricks up his sleeves?

Having successfully recruited Karin, Sasuke seeks out the final member for his platoon, Jugo. Karin warns Sasuke and Suigetsu of Jugo's uncontrollable murderous instincts, but as they arrive at the northern hideout, they find another matter they must attend to first. Elsewhere, shocking news reaches the ninja of Konoha.

Kakashi splits the two teams into five separate groups, each aided by a couple of his ninja dogs, in order to locate clues about Itachi and Sasuke's whereabouts. Unbeknownst to everyone, familiar foes have set their eyes upon both Naruto's group and Sasuke.

Having suspicions about the Nine-Tails' attack on the Hidden Leaf Village years ago, Jiraiya tells one of his frogs that the time may come when Naruto will need to access the fox's full power. His interrogations finished, Jiraiya sets out in search for Pain, but winds up encountering Konan instead. Is there a connection between Jiraiya, Konan, and the mysterious Pain? Elsewhere, one of Naruto's shadow clones runs into Team Hebi.

As Sasuke has finally fulfilled his goal in killing Itachi and avenging his clan, he collapses from exhaustion. The news of his victory reaches the Leaf ninja and Tobi, who both race towards Sasuke's location. What does Tobi plan to do with him and who will reach Sasuke first?

As Naruto heads back to the Tsuchigumo Clan village, Akaboshi and his group find Hotaru with the help of Hotaru's uncle. Hotaru manages to escape but the ninja bandits surround her in the forest. Utakata comes to her aid and manages to take her and escape from the ninja bandits. Akaboshi and his group are about to chase after them until their boss arrives and reveals to them that Utakata is in the Hidden Mist Village's Bingo Book.

After reading Jiraiya's first book, Naruto becomes more determined than ever to complete his training. Elsewhere, the angered Raikage plans to call all of the kage together for a meeting.

Kakashi continues to fight against Pain. With the arrival of Chouji and Chouza, things start looking up, but Pain's not out of tricks just yet.

Pain's God Realm finally enters the battle. As Naruto's toad allies fall one by one, the situation begins to look grim. Can Naruto defeat Pain?

Naruto confronts Nagato and tells him that he'll give him the answer to the question Pain asked him earlier after he hears about what made Nagato turn to his evil ways. What is Naruto's answer, and what conclusion will Nagato reach?

Deciding to believe in Naruto, Nagato uses the Gedo Art: Rinne Rebirth jutsu, expending the last of his chakra, and thus giving his life, to revive every person in the village who died in the attack, saying that it's the least he can do. With Nagato dead, Konan leaves Akatsuki, taking Nagato and Pain's God Realm (who is actually the body of Yahiko) with her, parting with Naruto saying that since Nagato believed in him to achieve true peace, she will as well. As Naruto returns to the Leaf, he is astonished to find the entire village awaiting his return, hailing him as a true hero. After all these years, Naruto has finally received the acknowledgment he's always wanted.

Kakashi has a flashback back when he was assigned to be the sensei of Team 7. In a bid to know his students, Naruto, Sasuke & Sakura, better, Kakashi spies on them and to see how they would all get along as a group. Angered by Sakura's talk about calling Naruto a brat and that he has no family to tell him right or wrong, Sasuke tells Sakura she is annoying. Realizing Sakura's sadness, Naruto goes to battle Sasuke, but gets defeated. It then goes back to the present and Kakashi claims that it is up to him to stop Sasuke.

In the past, Naruto and Sakura joined Sasuke on a mission to collect the paw print of Nekomata, a large and powerful two-tailed ninja cat that ruled over all of the ninja cats.

Sasuke has a flashback while traveling to Konoha with his team, Taka. He once saved a girl named Naho not knowing that she's a relative of the Feudal Lord. Meanwhile, Naruto and Sakura are sent on a mission to accompany Naho and act as her bodyguards while Kakashi and Sasuke are sent to discover the reason why internationally wanted bandits have entered their border. Kakashi and Sasuke later find out that the bandits intend to abduct Naho. Naruto and Sakura are defeated by the bandits and are taken hostage. Sasuke finds them first and proceeds to defeat the leader and mercilessly punches him because of his jealousy for Naruto's growing power. A cut to the present reveals Naruto contemplating on his promise to have Sasuke return to the village.

Sakura, not wanting to cause Naruto any more pain, tells him that he can let go of his promise about bringing Sasuke back, and claims that she doesn't feel anything more for Sasuke. To top it off, Sakura confesses her feelings for Naruto, taking everyone by surprise. How will Naruto respond? Meanwhile, Kisame tracks down Killer Bee and the battle for the Eight-Tails begins.

Madara brings Sasuke out of his dimension to battle Danzo. When Sasuke demands answers concerning Itachi, things turn ugly, and Danzo reveals a few tricks he has up his sleeves (literally). What is Danzo's true strength, and can Sasuke summon enough power to suppress it?

Naruto reproaches Sasuke for attempting to kill Sakura. Then Sasuke reveals that he killed Danzo with his own hands. He goes on to declare his intent to purify the Uchiha clan’s name by annihilating the Hidden Leaf.

During their voyage, Naruto, Yamato, Gai, and Aoba stop at an island to recover from severe seasickness. There, they unexpectedly meet up with Sakura, Ino, and Choji, who are on an assignment to gather medical herbs for Tsunade.

The ship is caught in a storm and Naruto uses his shadow clones to protect the ship.After the storm, Naruto wakes up and a quarrel begins between Naruto and his Shadow clones. Soon his shadow clones revolt and take control of the ship and the crew is forced to land on a nearby island. Naruto is taken hostage by the shadow clones and they put forth their demands to him. Naruto is saved by Yamato and the others only to find that it was a dream. It was caused when a Shadow clone was released and the memories of it returned to Naruto. Naruto then realizes the worth of his clones and releases them.

As the Leaf ninja’s ship heads toward their final stop for supplies before entering the Land of Lightning, Yamato warns the crew to stay alert for enemies who could mimic both the appearance and chakra of their closest allies.

Konan encloses Tobi in an chasm with a large amount of explosive tags that detonates in a wide area. Tobi manages to survive with his Izanagi techique, sacrificing one eye, and pierces Konan behind. Tobi explains his technique to Konan. Konan refuses to give up and continues to fight Tobi. Tobi manages to subdue her and places Konan inside a genjutsu to force her to reveal the location of the Rinnegan. Tobi travels to the location and retrieves Nagato's corpse and then takes his leave. A bloodied piece of paper is blown of Konan's body by the wind and travels to her childhood hideout. As it travels, more of the Ame Orphans past with Jiraiya is revealed, as well as some of their time as the original Akatsuki. Meanwhile, Tobi, with a new outfit, is told by Zetsu that they have received intel on the Nine-Tails wherabouts from Kisame. He declares that it's time to capture the Nine-Tails.

Part Four of the Four Week Long Special Project for the Broadcast's Tenth Anniversary - Naruto is determined to save Sasuke, who has deserted the Hidden Leaf.

The commando unit is in hot water as they engage the reanimated Kekkei Genkai shinobi, which include Zabuza Momochi and Haku. Luckily, Kakashi and his unit arrive in time to assist them.

Ino sees Sakura falling from the sky. Although she manages to save her, the shock of the fall has left Sakura with amnesia.

Kiba, Shino, and Hinata are sent to investigate an area where the Akatsuki are supposedly getting through. There, the three are ambushed by a White Zetsu and get separated.

The Raikage Ay and his team suffer critical injuries during an enemy attack. Unwilling to sacrifice any more of his men, Ay seeks medical help from Tsunade, who just happens to be in the area.

Naruto and Killer Bee engage in battle against the reanimated Itachi Uchiha and Nagato. Itachi learns from Naruto that Sasuke has chosen the path of vengeance.

Kabuto reanimates an army of unknown shinobi led by Danzo’s former bodyguard Torune to retrieve the ones he lost to the Allied Forces. But aside from Torune, the reanimated shinobi are all weak and are quickly sealed away.

Tsunade leaves her post as Medic Ninja to join the other Kage in fighting Madara. Meanwhile, Sasuke goes after Itachi and learns that his brother intends on stopping Kabuto’s Reanimation Jutsu.

Kakashi discovers a strange connection between the masked man’s Transportation Technique and his own Kamui Jutsu. Naruto throws everything he’s got against the masked man and breaks his mask, finally revealing his identity!

At the Foundation, Kakashi meets a boy who uses Wood Style, a jutsu that only First Hokage Hashirama was capable of using. Kakashi goes to Third Hokage Hiruzen’s library to seek answers and discovers records regarding Hashirama’s cells.

Kakashi visits the Uchiha District and notices that the community seems more antisocial than the last time he visited. Meanwhile Itachi finds concrete evidence regarding the Uchiha Clan’s coup against the Leaf. The fateful moment is fast approaching…

Villages did not exist when Hashirama was a child. It was during this strife-filled time that he met Madara Uchiha.

Part 1 of a special two-part extra edition! The townspeople are going about their daily business on the streets of the Leaf Village when someone suddenly appears and starts sending them flying!

Pressed by Naruto, Obito remembers the time he, Kakashi, and Rin teamed up for the Chunin Exam and when he promised Rin that he would become Hokage.

The Chunin Exams finally begin and the proctor for Round One is none other than Shikamaru!

Ino, Sakura and Choji trudge across a desert under the blazing sun without any provisions. Ino and Sakura are arguing when a giant scorpion attacks and injures Sakura.

Kakashi has changed for the worse, and Obito doesn't know why. He runs into Kakashi and tries to talk to him, but Kakashi gives him the cold shoulder.

Madara now possesses the Rinnegan in both eyes, and he is the strongest, most despicable enemy the newly reunited Team 7 has ever faced. Kakashi calls upon Team 7 to recall their first lesson with the bells, and to use teamwork!

The Masked Man shows Neji and Naruto images of past incidents that occurred in the Leaf Village. Meanwhile, Shikamaru and friends join up with Team Jiraiya to rescue the children. After fighting side by side with the Leaf, Yahiko and the others seem to have a change of heart.

The Anbu who attack Naruto and Shikamaru are agents sent by Danzo, who had promised Orochimaru that he would deliver Sasuke safely to him. Luckily, Neji, Lee and Tenten rush to their aid in the nick of time! Meanwhile, Hiruko reveals the truth behind the incident involving Hizashi

Itachi accompanies his friend Shisui on a three-part training exercise. The two come across a battle between the Hokage’s ANBU and the Foundation. Itachi is confused by their motives and can't discern which side is right or wrong. But Shisui is unwavering in his determination to stop the fighting.

Kaguya is furious that Hagoromo has broken the law. Hagoromo finds out what Kaguya did in the past and makes up his mind to fight her. Knowing nothing about her, Hagoromo cannot trust her—he wonders if the love and the despair she experienced are the sole cause of her anger. Unable to reach an understanding, mother and sons begin their long, sad battle.

Everyone believes that Indra is the best choice to be Hagomoro's successor, and the sage's indecision begins to cause anxiety among his followers. Finally, Ashura returns home, and Hagoromo reveals who he has chosen.

The battle with Kaguya is over, and all that is left is for Naruto and Sasuke to combine their powers and release the Infinite Tsukuyomi. But before they can do this, Sasuke makes a shocking declaration.

As a child, Sasuke craved attention from his older brother Itachi. Sasuke and Itachi have a chance to spend some time alone when their parents are away. Meanwhile, Sakura is very shy and tends to spend her free time by herself. One day, her new friend Ino gives her a present.

Instead of returning to the Hidden Leaf, Sasuke sets out with Chino and Nowaki to investigate the cause of the exploding humans.

The super-secret mission to find Naruto and Hinata a wedding gift proves to be difficult for Shikamaru. Choji has found the perfect gift, which adds to Shikamaru's panic. But then Choji mentions something in passing and Shikamaru gets an idea. All he needs now is to enlist Temari's help!