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?

It's summer and Naruto and gang are doing missions. Their newest mission is to escort the leader of the Hidden Waterfall Village. But when Kakashi is called back to Konoha for an emergency jounin meeting, he leaves Naruto and gang behind. At the same time, an attack is initiated on the Hidden Waterfall Village, led by a missing-nin, and its former strongest jounin is executed. All of this is an attempt to get the "hero water", which multiplies your chakra tenfold in exchange for your life. Naruto and the gang are forced to do battle with the enemy in order to rid the Hidden Waterfall Village of its menace.

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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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?

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.

With Naruto's help, Idate reaches the Modoroki Shrine... But just as he's about to cross the bridge, an old nemesis stands in his way.

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!

As Shikamaru and the rest of the squad move in, Jirobo, one of the Sound Ninja, traps them within an Earth Dome Prison and sucks up their chakra!

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.

As Sasuke squares off against Naruto, he reflects on his past when he was neglected by both his stern father and Itachi, his brooding older brother.

Shikamaru's group is brought back to Konoha with many injuries. Neji and Chouji could possibly die, Kiba has a deep wound but nothing too serious, and Naruto and Shimakamru have a few injuries. When Sakura finds out they are back ,she goes immediatley to see Sasuke and Naruto but finds out Sasuke got away. Can Naruto keep his promise to Sakura? And what news does the Jiraiya have for Naruto?

When Sasame drugs the gang, she prepares to hand them over to Orochimaru. But, when she discovers that they are to be killed, she has a change of heart...

The battle between Naruto and Arashi continues, but Naruto's injury is making it difficult for him to succeed. Sasame jumps in to try to save Naruto but will it be enough?

Naruto is having trouble with the two brothers and Iruka is having his share of difficulties with Mizuki! Iruka struggles to try and get the old Mizuki back but he doesn't have much success.... Meanwhile, when things are looking bleak for Naruto, can 3 friendly Ninja save the day?

Naruto is unable to search for Sasuke due to Tsunade's orders, while Kiba and Hinata wonder how they can help him out. Shino remembers a special type of bug that if it is found, could easily track Sasuke down. they go and discuss it with Tsunade, who agrees to let them search for it, making Shino the leader. Tsunade discovers Naruto eavsfropping the conversation and lets him go with them. But, can they complete a mission with only a 10% success rate? As they travel, Naruto has difficulty dealing with Shino's bizzare behavior. Hinata also sneaks out in the middle of the night to practice some mysterious moves. After two days of travelling, they finally reach their destination. And they're not alone, a mysterious group is also after the same thing.

Out to try and save Rourusuke, Naruto and the others ambush members of the Kurosuke Family and save an old man. They soon hear the funeral bell and go and save Rourusuke. However, Rock lee meets an old friend among the group, and Lee must now convince Kurashi to return his his old way of life. Their time together is cut short, as Raiga watches from the sidelines. Can Naruto, Neji, Rock Lee, and Tenten defeat an enemy that not even Neji's Byakugan can see?

Lee is left facing Raiga alone while Tenten and the others hurry to bring them the curry of life. Ranmaru is reunited with Raiga, but are things the same as they were before?

Naruto, Hinata and Kiba are sent off on a mission to capture a thief named Gosunkugi. However, on the way they meet another bounty hunter, who is after the same target as them....

Kakashi orders Neji and Tenten to return to the village with him, much to their protest. Meanwhile Koumei is about to be executed, at least until the Noroimusha shows up! Is the ghost an ally or an enemy and whatever became of Naruto? Questions are answered as Sagi reveals the truth!

Naruto and Amachi's battle comes to a rather quick end, or does it? Also, Anko recovers more of her past including a significant event.

The Konoha team continue to investigate the star's theft and start to realise everything is not quite as it seems. Everything seems to be leading to a final battle, but who is the real enemy behind all this?

When Akamaru is taken ill and starts to undergo a mysterious transformation, can Kiba do anything to save his friend? When the whole village appears to be against him what lengths will he go through, to protect his friend?

The group splits off into two, in an attempt to deter their mysterious attackers. However, when Naruto and Chouji discover the plan hasn't worked as intended, they soon realise that somebody is hiding something important....

Gai is trapped inside a fortress made of practice posts. Yagura appears but is he there to help or to hinder? Naruto, Neji and Tenten show up to try and rescue Gai, but will it be too much for them to handle on their own?

As Kurenai attempts to escape with Yakumo, Naruto and Sakura, Team 8 and Might Gai arrive to lend their assistance. We learn some of the history between Kurenai and Yakumo and discover why things have turned out the way they have...

Todoroki wants to avenge his family and kill Gantetsu. The only problem is that Naruto has other ideas. Elsewhere, Lee and Sakura are surrounded by children who are demanding they give them Gantetsu. Can Naruto and Todoroki get Gantetsu back? And what are the childrens reasons for wanting him?

The rogue ninjas continue running as Gaara, Temari and Kankuro give chase. At the same time, Shino, Hinata and Neji are using their abilities to try and find the Shitenshounnin. Who will end up fighting first and, who will ultimately win?