An older and stronger Naruto returns from his two and a half years of training with Jiraiya. When he gets back he finds that many things have changed since he left. From Konohamaru becoming a Gennin and being under the supervision of Ebisu to Tsunade's, the Fifth Hokage, being added to the great stone faces. Now the tasks of starting things where they were left has begun. And what new danger does Jiraiya know about?

As Naruto gets back into the swing of things and meets back up with what is left of Team 7, Kakashi and Sakura, Jiraiya has something important to tell them. It seems a shinobi group known as Akatsuki is on the move. The things they are after are the tailed beasts like the one inside of Naruto, the Kyubi. Is Naruto prepared to defend himself from this group of Shinobi?

The bell test begins again while Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune watch, but this time Kakashi is taking things seriously. So serious that he is using his Sharingan. Can Naruto and Sakura get the bells before the deadline? Meanwhile Gaara searches for the Akatsuki member that has invaded the village.

The bell test continues for Naruto and Sakura. Meanwhile Gaara discovers that the Akatsuki member, Deidara, has infiltrated the village. Now the battle begins between Gaara and Deidara. With Deidara after Shukaku which is sealed in Gaara, can the older and more powerful Gaara defeat this powerful foe?

Gaara and Deidara continue their fight with Gaara gaining the upper hand. Deidara then begins to attack the village and Gaara, the Kazekage, must protect it. Can Gaara defeat Deidara or is he playing right into his hands.

Deidara launches an attack on the village and Gaara must do his duty as Kazekage and protect it. However, Gaara's left himself wide open for an attack!

With Gaara captured and abducted, Kankuro goes after Deidara to get him back. However, his path is soon blocked by Sasori, whom doesn't plan on letting him pass.

With their leader abducted, the Hidden Sand Village requests assistance from Konoha. Tsunade sends Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi out to help. Worried about her little brother, Temari tags along as well.

As the group travels to Hidden Sand Village, Naruto realizes that Sakura doesn't know why Akatsuki are after Gaara and himself. Has the time finally come to tell her the truth?

With Kankuro injured, Chiyo and Ebizou make an appearance in order to save his life. They try everything, but it's all in vain and Kankuro's condition is progressively getting worse. Meanwhile, Sasori and Deidara arrive at the Akatsuki hideout and begin extracting Shukaku from Gaara using a mysterious technique.

Upon arriving at the Sand Village's medical center, Kakashi is attacked by an elderly woman. Who is this woman and why is she attacking Kakashi? Meanwhile, Sakura does an examination on Kankuro and figures out that he's in bad shape. Can she use what Tsunade taught her in order to save Kankuro's life?

When Pakkun discovers the whereabouts of the Akatsuki's hideout, Kakashi orders Pakkun to find Gai and his team and lead them to the position. Meanwhile, Kakashi and his group decide to head out with Temari and other sand ninjas, but Chiyo decides to go in her place. Will this old woman help or hinder the mission?

While Gai's group must fight against Kisame in order to proceed, Kakashi's group is cut off by another familiar face...Itachi Uchiha! Kakashi and Naruto team up and face the legendary ninja, but will even that be enough?

While Gai, Lee, Tenten and Neji continue their battle against Kisame, Naruto and Kakashi work together to fight Itachi. But when Itachi puts Naruto in a genjutsu spell, can Naruto find a way to break free?

The fights against Itachi and Kisame finally come to an end, but are these the real Itachi and Kisame?

As the group draws closer to Akatsuki's hideout, Chiyo reveals some startling information about the Jinchuuriki. Naruto becomes more determined than ever to rescue Gaara, but is it too late to save him?

The group has finally arrived at the Akatsuki hideout, but is it already too late to save Gaara?

Knowing that Akatsuki's lair is protected by a powerful barrier, Kakashi and Gai decide that the teams must work together to dismantle the barrier.

As Gai's team stays behind to fight a group of mysterious enemies, Kakashi's team enters the Akatsuki hideout, where Naruto makes an unhappy discovery.

Chiyo and Sakura team up to fight Sasori, but soon realize that if they get something even as small as scratch, it's all over. Can the two defeat this puppet master?

With his puppet destroyed, Sasori reveals himself to Chiyo and Sakura, looking no older than when he left his village twenty years ago. As a further bit of nostalgia, he produces a summoning scroll and calls forth the Third Kazekage, whom Sasori has made into a puppet. Using its weapons, which are even more dangerous than Hiruko's, Sasori is able to catch Sakura in a poison gas cloud. Meanwhile, Kankuro, Temari's team, and Ebizo make their way to the Akatsuki hideout.

Sakura manages to escape the poison gas cloud by using an explosive scroll on herself. Chiyo calls forth the "Mother" and "Father" puppets that Sasori created to fight him and the Third. They manage to hold down the Third for awhile until Sasori releases the Third's secret technique: Iron Sand. Meanwhile, Team Guy are having trouble fighting the clones and showing exhaustion from the battle. Naruto and Kakashi manage to avoid Deidara's clay bombs and keep up with him.

The Iron Sand stops both puppets from moving. Chiyo's right arm (which she had turned into a puppet) gets clogged and broken as well. Chiyo thinks back to the past and remembers how Sasori created and controled his first puppets, Father and Mother. Sakura urges Chiyo to use her again as her puppet. With Chiyo's help, Sakura avoids the columns formed by the Iron Sand to attack her.

Chiyo and Sakura must try and defeat Sasori's strongest puppet, the Third Kazekage.

Sakura has managed to destroy Sasori's strongest puppet, but he still has a few tricks up sleeve. And although Sakura's managed to avoid a fatal blow from the poison, she and Chiyo must defeat him in three minutes before the antidote wears off and they are vulnerable to Sasori's attacks. Can they defeat him in time?

Chiyo uses her abilities as a master puppeteer to allow her to control ten puppets at once against Sasori. However, Sasori has gone a step ahead, and gained the ability to control one hundred puppets at once! Can Chiyo defeat the man who took down an entire country?

It's the final stand against Sasori, and Chiyo reveals the flaw in Sasori's "immortality". As Sasori breathes his last breaths, he rewards the two kunoichi for his defeat by providing them some valuable information. In ten days, they will have the opportunity to meet with one of his spies who can provide them with information on Orochimaru, and Sasuke as well.

As Kakashi and Naruto chase after Deidara, and Sakura and Chiyo rest from their fight with Sasori, Gai and his team continue to fight their doppelgangers. Things aren't looking good for the four as the doppelgangers remain at the same strength while Gai's team grows weaker. Can they finish things up, or will it be the end of the line for them?

Kakashi unleashes his new Mangekyo Sharingan against Deidara, turning the tide of the battle in their favor, but when Naruto begins to act strangely, Kakashi sees him as the bigger threat.

Kakashi must act quickly to calm Naruto down before he releases too much of Kyubi's power. Meanwhile, Deidara is cornered by Gai's team, and when he realizes that he can't defeat them, he decides that the only way he'll die is he takes everyone else with him!

Gaara's body has finally been recovered, and Chiyo determines that there is only one way to save him. It's up to her and the entire village to prove to Gaara that he is loved, and Naruto shows Gaara that he does have a friend.

Now that Gaara's been revived, the Hidden Sand Village slowly begins to return to normal. It's time for the ninja of Konoha to take their leave, and Naruto shows Gaara how friends say goodbye. Meanwhile, a mysterious ninja tries to join Akatsuki.

Everyone has returned to the Hidden Leaf Village. Kakashi is hospitalized for a week due to the strain caused by his Mangekyo Sharingan. Source: crunchyroll

After attacking Naruto, Sai predicts that they will meet again soon, then vanishes. Tsunade meets with the village elders, Homura and Koharu… Source: crunchyroll

Naruto is enraged when he discovers that Sai attacked him in order to test his strength. Sakura pulls them apart, but tensions are running high between the members of Team Kakashi. Source: crunchyroll

The new Team Kakashi heads for Tenchikyo. To Naruto, Sai is just temporarily filling in for Sasuke. When Sai shows his contempt for Sasuke, the antagonism comes to a head. Source: crunchyroll

Sakura comes across Sai working on an abstract painting. He tells her that he`s unable to give it a title. Bothered by his manner, Sakura finds an unusual picture book among Sai`s things. Source: crunchyroll

In preparation for Tenchikyo, Yamato conducts a half-day simulation in order to get a grasp on the fighting skills and jutsu of Team Kakashi. Sai abandons Naruto to conclude the simulated mission successfully. Source: crunchyroll

The day for capturing the spy is finally here. Just as planned, Yamato takes on Sasori`s likeness and waits until the Akatsuki spy appears. The spy turns out to be none other than Kabuto. Source: crunchyroll

Faced with Orochimaru, his sworn enemy, Naruto suddenly releases the power of his Nine-Tailed Fox. When Yamato sees Naruto`s fourth tail appear, he recalls Jiraiya`s tale of how he nearly lost his life to the transformed Naruto. Source: crunchyroll

When his third tail appears, all that Naruto can see is Orochimaru. He is blind even to his teammates. Source: crunchyroll

With the release of his fourth tail, Naruto completely loses his awareness and is overtaken by destructive impulses. Source: crunchyroll

Although he has changed almost completely into his animal form and has lost all awareness, Naruto refuses to give up the idea of bringing Sasuke home. Source: crunchyroll

Taking advantage of the confusion, Sai makes contact with Orochimaru. After reviewing the contents of the documents given to him, Orochimaru decides to take Sai back to the hideout. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto and Sakura are shocked when they hear that Danzo`s goal is to work with Orochimaru to once again attempt to defeat the Leaf Village. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto is shocked to learn that he was the one responsible for the destruction around them and for Sakura`s injuries. Source: crunchyroll

Sai shudders when he finally meets Sasuke face to face in Orochimaru`s hideout. The list that Sai gave to Orochimaru lists the members of the Anbu Black Ops, the corps under the direct control of the Hokage. Source: crunchyroll

Team Kakashi is able to find Sai with Yamato guiding them. They immediately begin questioning Sai about Danzo`s plans for destroying the Leaf Village, and surprisingly, Sai divulges everything. Source: crunchyroll

Kabuto carries out a surprise attack on Team Kakashi to take back Sai, but a change has come over Sai since Sakura pointed out his contradictions. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto, while nursing his injuries caused by the release of the Nine-Tailed Fox, searches frantically for Sasuke. Seeing this, Sai recalls the feelings he once had for his older brother and finally manages to complete his unfinished picture. Source: crunchyroll

Team Kakashi are stunned to learn that Sai`s true mission is to kill Sasuke. Naruto wants to believe that the smile Sai showed them was real, but there is a possibility that it was all an act. Source: crunchyroll

Team Kakashi finally have their wish to be reunited with Sasuke granted. Although it has been three long years, Sasuke`s feelings have not changed. His ultimate goal is to get revenge against his older brother, Itachi. Source: crunchyroll

Sasuke`s desire for revenge remains firm, no matter how hard Naruto tries to talk him out of it. Yamato tries to take Sasuke by force, but interference by Orochimaru brings things to a quick close. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto has a strange nightmare several days after their failure to bring Sasuke home. Even after he awakens wisps of the dream keep haunting him. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto begins to train with Kakashi. Kakashi finds it exhausting working with Naruto, who can’t understand anything explained to him. Source: crunchyroll

Learning that his chakra is of the "wind" type that is outstanding for fighting, Naruto puts more effort into his training. Source: crunchyroll

Team Kakashi is ordered to resolve the frequent vandalizing of graves at the Fire Temple. When it becomes clear that the vandals aren’t after the possessions buried with the dead, Yamato suspects that they want the corpses of the ninja buried in the four hidden tombs near Fire Temple. Source: crunchyroll

At the Fire Temple, Chiriku explains to Team Kakashi that the hidden tombs hold the guards of the Land of Fire’s feudal lord. At one time Chiriku and Asuma were members of that organization. Source: crunchyroll

Word comes that the last of the hidden graves has been broken into. Naruto and the others go after the coffin, but it turns out to be a trap. Source: crunchyroll

Team Kakashi is split up by the enemy`s Earth Summoning Jutsu. They are forced to fight the attacking assassins, but the enemy has the advantage since they know the lay of the land. Source: crunchyroll

Sora confronts Furido, the mysterious figure who has broken into the hidden graves. Impressed by Sora’s unusual strength, he admonishes him, “You should reevaluate how you use that power Heaven has blessed you with,” and disappears, leaving him with a cryptic message that he is an old friend of his father. Source: crunchyroll

Yamato believes that the assailants were not grave robbers but were after Sora. He decides to appoint Sora to Team Kakashi as a temporary stand-in for the injured Sai. Source: crunchyroll

By chance, Naruto and Sora get Asuma to coach them. Under the guidance of Asuma’s iron fist, they immerse themselves in training with Wind Chakra. Source: crunchyroll

Tsunade catches Danzo in a secret meeting with a ninja from the Hidden Rain Village. But the ninja turns out to be a spy for the Hidden Leaf. Source: crunchyroll

Under cover of a giant power outage, Furido begins his assault on the Hidden Leaf. The village immediately goes on alert, but Furido’s men put up a barrier, and everyone in the village is trapped inside. Source: crunchyroll

In order to stop the impending disaster, Asuma rushes toward the electric generator system. There he sees the Guardian Shinobi Twelve who have come to life once more through Revival Jutsu after their graves were robbed. Source: crunchyroll

Sora is speechless when he discovers that Furido not only intends to assassinate the Hokage but plans to totally annihilate Hidden Leaf Village. Source: crunchyroll

Throughout the village, Kitane’s fellow Guardian Shinobi with the Lightning Jutsu set up Limelight. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto and Asuma catch up to Sora, only to find him shrouded in ominous chakra and undergoing a change. Source: crunchyroll

Furido’s true form belongs to Kazuma, one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve who had planned the coup d’état. Asuma puts his honor on the line and goes back ten years to battle Furido once more. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto desperately tries to suppress Nine Tails’ chakra and get through to Sora’s heart and soul. Naruto’s comrades are helpless against Sora’s powerful chakra and can only stand by and watch. Source: crunchyroll

Work continues in Hidden Leaf Village to erase the scars of battle. As he watches Konohamaru and the others helping with the reconstruction, Iruka sees how his students have matured. Source: crunchyroll

With Kakashi’s return, Naruto resumes training for his new jutsu. Kakashi explains that the transformation training will enter the next stage. Source: crunchyroll

The lone surviving priest is carried into Hidden Leaf Village where he reports the destruction of the Fire Temple. Source: crunchyroll

In order to capture the Akatsuki, the Hidden Leaf cast a net that even an ant could not crawl through. Still, the Akatsuki elude them and frustrate Tsunade to no end. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto is learning the elements of Wind Style Jutsu, and Kakashi lectures him on the difficulties of developing a new jutsu. Source: crunchyroll

Asuma and his team finally confront Hidan, and a battle ensues. They fight with all their strength but are shocked at Hidan’s power. Source: crunchyroll

Hidan releases a baffling jutsu, and Asuma bears the brunt of the attack. The jutsu is a special trick which links Hidan with Asuma’s body. Source: crunchyroll

Shikamaru unravels the secret of Hidan’s jutsu just in time, and Asuma attacks with all his being. Source: crunchyroll

Asuma is mortally wounded by Hidan’s jutsu, and the Akatsuki have the rest of the Hidden Leaf in a bind. Source: crunchyroll

In a faraway land, the Akatsuki reveal their true aim of world conquest. And back at Hidden Leaf Village, Shikamaru gives his report of the mission to Tsunade. Source: crunchyroll

Asuma’s funeral is held in Hidden Leaf Village amid deep sadness. Shikamaru is the lone absentee, unable to get over the loss. Source: crunchyroll

Kakashi and Team 10 set out to stop the Akatsuki. Tsunade considers Naruto’s Team 7 to be the ideal back-up for Team 10 and orders Naruto to perfect his new jutsu within 24 hours. Source: crunchyroll

Shikamaru and Choji deliver the first blows in the battle, but they are thwarted by Kakuzu’s power. Kakashi counters Kakuzu’s trick and brings him down. Source: crunchyroll

Shikamaru and his comrades desperately counter the Fire Jutsu offensive. But continuously using his Rasengan and Lightning Blade takes its toll on Kakashi. Source: crunchyroll

Shikamaru battles Hidan alone, deep in the forest, and after depleting his chakra, sustains a deep wound. Hidan draws his blood as he lies near death. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto and Team Kakashi arrive just in time to assist Team Asuma. Sakura and Sai are ordered by Kakashi to aid Shikamaru, who is battling alone. Source: crunchyroll

Ino and Choji are amazed at Naruto’s new jutsu, and Kakuzu senses the danger that it poses. But when released, the new jutsu dissipates before it reaches Kakuzu. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto’s uses his new jutsu to bring Kakuzu down. Tsunade welcomes the teams back home and orders Team Asuma and Team Yamato to take a break. Source: crunchyroll

Just when peace has finally settled over the village word comes that Orochimaru’s hideout has been found. Tsunade orders Kakashi, Hinato, Shino, and Kiba on a search mission to find the hideout. Source: crunchyroll

Naruto and Jiraiya arrive at the hot springs resort. As an alternative to the Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken, Jiraiya suggests to Naruto the collaboration ninjutsu with a ninja toad. Source: crunchyroll

Inside Orochimaru’s hideout Guren witnesses Sasuke defeating a thousand opponents. Meanwhile, Kabuto and Yukimaru conduct their experiment to summon the Three-Tailed Beast. Source: crunchyroll

Believing Naruto’s new jutsu is almost completed, Jiraiya heads off to investigate new information on the Akatsuki’s movements. His arm now healed, Naruto returns to the village to continue his training. Source: crunchyroll

Staying behind at the hideout, Rinji and Gozu become aware of a shinobi following their tracks. At the same time, Kakashi and his team notice that the enemy is using a bat for surveillance. Source: crunchyroll

At the Leaf Village Naruto is busy training with Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. But when he learns that Kakashi and the others are out on a mission to locate Orochimaru’s hideout, Naruto rushes to ask Tsunade if he can join the mission. Source: crunchyroll

Team Yamato heads out to provide backup for Team Kakashi. Right before his departure Naruto gets a hint to perfect his new jutsu by entering Gamatatsu’s belly. Source: crunchyroll

From the results of the analysis of the crystallized Parasitic insects, the enemies currently fighting Kakashi’s team are identified as users of the Crystal Style, a rare type of jutsu. Still unclear on what Orochimaru’s objective is, Tsunade cannot hide her irritation and anxiety. Source: crunchyroll

Shattering the force field with his newly mastered collaboration jutsu with the toads, Naruto and the reinforcement unit arrive at the battle site. But Naruto’s new jutsu is repulsed by Guren’s ability to crystallize fluids. Source: crunchyroll

The Leaf ninja use The Bat to pursue Guren. Akamaru and Kiba detect a high level of chakra present at their destination. Convinced something abnormal is about to happen, Kakashi sends Naruto to the lake right before entering battle with the enemy. Source: crunchyroll

Inside the heavy mist, the Leaf ninja manage to rendezvous with Naruto. The team tightens their guard when they learn that the mist surrounding the lake causes illusions. The team discovers that the enemy is after the Three-Tailed Beast, and faced with this unexpected development, Kakashi decides to ask for Tsunade’s guidance. Source: crunchyroll