Asuma’s funeral is held in Hidden Leaf Village amid deep sadness. Shikamaru is the lone absentee, unable to get over the loss. Choji too is disconsolate. As each member of Team 10 deals with Asuma’s death, the question they ask themselves is “What must we do next?” Each comes to the same resolve--to stop and capture the Akatsuki. Tsunade adamantly opposes Team 10’s determination to set out on this mission. But an unexpected person offers to help.

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. Meanwhile, Team 10 waits patiently for the battle against Kakuzu and Hidan. When Ino’s Mind Transfer Jutsu locates Hidan and Kukuzu, the gauntlet is thrown. Will Shikamaru’s strategy work in bringing down the Akatsuki duo?

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. But an unexpected phenomenon puts Shikamaru and the team in a danger. Meanwhile, Naruto is close to perfecting his new jutsu, and Yamato explains about the merits and relationship of the Change in Chakra Nature: the Five Elements.

Shikamaru and his comrades desperately counter the Fire Jutsu offensive. But continuously using his Rasengan and Lightning Blade takes its toll on Kakashi. Shikamaru decides that separating Hidan and Kakuzu is the only chance they have, and he sets out to create a diversion. Leaving Shikamaru to deal with Hidan, Kakashi takes on Kakuzu. But then, Kakuzu’s terrible secret is revealed…

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. Around the same time, Kakashi also has been backed into a corner by Kakuzu’s relentless attack. Kakuzu is about to cut out Kakashi’s heart to replace his own, but a sudden change comes over him. All goes according to Shikamaru’s strategy, which gradually reveals itself…!

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. Shikamaru knows that the moment of reckoning is near. How will Shikamaru stop the invincible Hidan? What does he have planned? And who will emerge victorious? Meanwhile, Naruto gathers data on Kakuzu by using his Shadow Clones, and he unleashes his perfected new jutsu, Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken.

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. Naruto’s comrades realize that the new jutsu will not bring Kakuzu down. But Naruto insists on another chance. His passionate plea moves his comrades, but Kakuzu changes to a long-distance attack in order to dodge Naruto. Will the Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken be able to reach him?

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. Standing in front of Asuma’s grave, Shikamaru sees Kurenai, who is with child, and promises that he will protect the jewel that Asuma has left. Naruto’s right arm, which he injured during the battle, turns out to be quite serious. Realizing how dangerous the Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken is, Tsunade orders Yamato and Kakashi to never allow Naruto to use it again. A

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. Naruto is in a dilemma about his new jutsu, Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken, because of the damage the user sustains. Jiraiya returns to the village. Naruto seeks the guidance of his mentor, so Jiraiya and Naruto set out for the hot springs. Meanwhile, some distance away, Orochimaru’s female follower, Guren, is in th

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. But the toad summoned for Naruto’s partner turns out to be Mr. Gamariki, the ninja toad that didn’t get along with Naruto during his three-year training period. Meanwhile, upon receiving Orochimaru’s orders, Guren selects from her hideout a group of shinobi worthy of the mission. Those who oppose Guren’s aggressive methods

Inside Orochimaru’s hideout Guren witnesses Sasuke defeating a thousand opponents. Having lost the opportunity to be Orochimaru’s new vessel in the past, Guren openly express her jealousy toward Sasuke. Seeing through Guren’s emotional state, Orochimaru proposes a plan. Meanwhile, Kabuto and Yukimaru conduct their experiment to summon the Three-Tailed Beast. Drained from the experiment, Yukimaru is taken by Kabuto to a nearby hot spring to heal. The same hot spring happens to be where Naruto and Jirai

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. At the Leaf Village Tsunade receives Kakashi’s message and begins her investigation into the mysterious crystal that was delivered. Meanwhile, Kakashi and his team continue their search for Orochimaru’s men, when Shino detects the presence of his Parasitic Insects thought to have been killed by the

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. Both sides are now aware of each other’s presence, keeping careful eye on the other’s next move. Meanwhile, Guren takes Yukimaru and hurries back to her men. But Yukimaru comes down with a fever after being in the rain, forcing Guren to nurse him. Exhausted, Guren soon falls asleep only to find herself looking at som

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. Tsunade asks why he wishes to take part in this mission, and Naruto gives his answer… Meanwhile, Kakashi and the others regroup with Shino, who recovered the insect. But in order to grow more Paarasitic insects that are immune to the Crystal Style Jutsu, Shino temporarily leav

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. Meanwhile, still with no leads, Kakashi and his team continue their pursuit mission when they are spotted and forced into an unplanned battle with Guren’s men. Caught by a surprise attack, the search team is divided into two. During the struggle, Gozu and Rinji’s abilities are revealed. What fate awaits the search team?

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. Meanwhile, the search team fends off Gozu and Rinji only to find themselves in a peculiar situation. Along with Shino’s Parasitic insect barricade, they are all caught in the force field ninjutsu. It is Guren’s Green Cry

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. Seeing that the battle is not in their favor, Kakashi, with help from the reinforcement unit, rescues Hinata, who was taken hostage, and the team barely manages to retreat from the battle. Guren attempts to go after the Leaf but is stopped by Kabuto, and she returns to her original

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. Meanwhile, Guren and the others execute their plan to capture the Three-Tailed Beast. Yukimaru is depleted of energy, forcing Guren and the others to suppress the now out-of-control Three Tails by force. When Guren becomes endangered, Yukimaru unleashes an unexpec

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. Meanwhile Guren, left behind with Yukimaru, falls victim to the mist emitted by Three Tails and suffers from a mysterious illusion. Around the same time, Tsunade begins planning a c

Naruto enters the mist to seek out Yukimaru. Guren stays alert to protect Yukimaru, whose current situation prevents him from moving. When both sides meet, their emotion over Yukimaru sparks. But the volatile tension is disrupted by—? Meanwhile the Leaf ninja search for the missing Naruto. After going over Naruto’s report and the enemy’s method of capturing the Tailed Beast, Kakashi comes to a certain conclusion.

Reinforcements arrive from the Leaf Village. The new mission from Tsunade: seal the Three-Tailed Beast so it won’t fall into anyone else’s hands and take Yukimaru whose powers are tied to the Tailed Beast into custody. Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and Shizune are selected for their skilled chakra control to form the sealing team, while the remaining members break into two groups to guard them. Anticipating a rematch with the Crystal-Style user, Kakashi devises a plan. Meanwhile on the enemy side, Guren is begin

The Leaf ninja wish to seal the Three-Tailed Beast, and Guren’s team wishes to stop them at any cost. Shizune’s sealing team begins their search as they activate the The Four-Corner Sealing Barrier to trap the Three-Tailed Beast, while team Yamato and team Kakashi stay on guard. When team Rinji and team Guren appear before them, the rematch battle finally begins. Kiba once again faces Kigiri, Nurari, and Kihou. Remembering his last battle with the three, Kiba warns Lee and Tenten. However…

To protect the The Four-Corner Sealing Barrier necessary to seal the Three-Tailed Beast, Kakashi and Naruto wage their deadly battle against Guren. Sai fights a one-on-one battle with Gozu. But against Guren’s awesome Crystal-Style attacks, team Kakashi slowly begins to lose ground. Can Kakashi’s secret plan crush Guren’s Crystal-Style? Meanwhile the sealing team manages to track down the Three-Tailed Beast’s location and puts their entire concentration on their chakra control. But with the guard te

Kabuto plans on breaking the Leaf’s The Four-Corner Sealing Barrier from the inside by using Yukimaru’s power and have the Three-Tailed Beast go on a rampage. Guren cannot argue, as Kabuto knows her weakness, but pleads for him to give her another chance to break the The Four-Corner Sealing Barrier. Meanwhile, Kakashi and Sai, Naruto and Shino split into two teams to track down Guren. Naruto wishes to find Guren at all costs to pinpoint Yukimaru’s whereabouts. At the same time over at the lake, the Th

To protect Guren from the raging Three Tails, Yuukimaru exerts powers beyond his limits. Moved by his action, Guren now comes to regret her past sin of killing Yuukimaru’s mother. When Yuukimaru runs out of power and loses control over Three Tails, the beast directs its anger toward Yuukimaru, attempting to kill its unwanted master. Guren desperately tries to draw the beast’s attention away, while one man calmly observes Guren and Yuukimaru’s mutual desire to protect one another. Finally, Guren faces

To protect Yuukimaru, Naruto and Guren fight alongside each other against the Three-Tailed beast and are swallowed. Inside the beast is an unnatural world filled with limestone. Naruto and Guren argue over who’ll take Yuukimaru, when an unexpected danger erupts. Meanwhile, the Leaf ninja manage to take Yuukimaru into custody but have lost sight of Naruto. Sakura treats Yuukimaru, who awakens to deliver a startling message. Meanwhile inside a cave near the lake, Kabuto coldly looks down upon the critically

The Leaf ninja learn that Naruto is inside the Three-Tailed beast. With no other alternative but to trust Yuukimaru’s mystical senses, Kakashi and the others follow the boy’s guidance and attempt a rescue mission. What method can they use to save Naruto and Guren, who have disappeared into the Three-Tailed beast’s alternate dimension? Meanwhile inside the Three-Tailed beast, Naruto and Guren are under attack from a smaller Three Tails. Arriving at a mist-filled canyon, the two come upon a horrible dis

Despite the Leaf ninja rescue attempt, Naruto and Guren do not return. Frustration builds among the group, but as Three Tails wakes from its sleep, the Sealing Team makes a second attempt at the Four Corner Sealing Barrier. Sai tries to bring Yuukimaru to safety but is suddenly attacked by Nurari, Kiho and Kigiri, who are now enhanced by Kabuto’s jutsu, and Yuukimaru is taken away. With the Leaf’s attempt to seal Three Tails nearing completion, dark thoughts begin to fill Kabuto. What action will Kabuto

Kabuto plots to have Three Tails crush the Leaf ninja by sacrificing Yuukimaru’s power and life. Controlled by Yuukimaru, Three Tails’ awesome power is about to break free from the seal, when an unexpected ally saves Shizune’s sealing team. Meanwhile Naruto and Guren arrive before Yuukimaru, who is weakened after having his powers forced out. Yuukimaru regains consciousness thanks to Guren’s earnest calling, but Rinji then reveals the truth behind the death of Yuukimaru’s mother. With the truth re

Kabuto finally appears before Naruto. Learning that Orochimaru used Guren’s and Yuukimaru’s feelings for his own purposes, an enraged Naruto enters battle against Kabuto. Guren tries to escape with the weakened Yuukimaru, but Rinji, who is now under the control of Kabuto, stops them. With her Crystal Style prevented by Rinji’s sonic powers, Guren is gradually cornered. Determined to save Yuukimaru, whom she promised to protect, Guren resorts to her final tactic. The Leaf ninja watch as Yuukimaru’s s

The Leaf ninja fall back and tend to their wounds. The battle has left everyone with serious injuries. Shizune examines Yuukimaru, who is in a coma, but his body is no longer able to control Three Tails. Hearing the report, Tsunade decides it is impossible to continue the mission. Tsunade orders the Leaf ninja to return to the village so they can decide new measures based on the information they have gathered. But that night Yuukimaru goes missing. Worried, Naruto goes out to look for him and witnesses some

Orochimaru agonizes in pain at his hideout, now requiring level-ten medications just to sustain his body. Even with excruciating pain Orochimaru is preparing for his transference ritual, and Kabuto can feel Orochimaru’s further potential. Meanwhile Sasuke also senses the time is coming when he will have to face his mentor. It’s been three years since he left the Leaf Village—what decision has Sasuke come to? Now, the hawk and the serpent clash for their very existence.

Orochimaru sheds his old body and transforms into a white serpent. As he attacks Sasuke to obtain his body, Orochimaru remembers the time he found the slough of a white snake in front of his parents’ grave. Driven by his desire for the Sharingan, Orochimaru finally robs Sasuke of his freedom. The transference ritual that no one could stop begins... As Kabuto returns from preparing the medication, he witnesses something unbelievable. An age comes to a close as the bloody sun sets into the horizon.

Sasuke has defeated Orochimaru. He then frees Suigetsu, a man trapped inside a water tank, and tells the man to join him. But Suigetsu does not immediately take up Sasuke’s offer. Knowing Sasuke was part of the team that defeated Zabuza Momochi, Suigetsu strikes a deal—if he can get Zabuza’s blade, then he will join Sasuke. And so the two leave for the Land of Waves in search of Zabuza’s blade. However, an unexpected situation awaits them.

Sasuke and Suigetsu visit the southern hideout to recruit their next member, Karin. Suigetsu is surprised at the hideout’s low security level but is told that no prisoners can escape thanks to Karin’s abilities. What is Karin’s power that allows her to maintain order and an iron defense? To relieve a reluctant Karin from her duty as a “Prison Guard,” Sasuke tells Suigetsu to free all the prisoners. Left alone in the room, Karin stares at Sasuke and remembers her first encounter with him years ago.

Sasuke and his team head for the northern hideout to recruit their next member, Jugo. On the way, Karin explains that the northern hideout is a site for conducting horrific human experiments. A ninja with abnormal homicidal impulses, Jugo is the sole carrier of the enzyme necessary to create Orochimaru’s curse mark. The group ready themselves as they arrive at the northern hideout. But they discover that upon receiving word of Orochimaru’s death, the curse mark test subjects have started a massive riot.

Slipping past the riot, Sasuke arrives at Jugo’s cell. But Jugo refuses to be released, even going as far as to say he rather die a lonely death than to leave the hideout. Jugo then resigns himself to his homicidal impulse, and enters the battle against Sasuke, and later Suigetsu. As the fight intensifies, a familiar shadow runs through Jugo’s mind. Will Sasuke be able to convince Jugo to join him…?

More than ten years ago, the rule of the Five Great Shinobi Nations was destabilized, throwing the world into a conflict later to be known as the Third Great Ninja War. The future Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze assigns young Kakashi, Obito of the Uchiha clan, and Rin, a medical ninja, on a mission to Kannabi Bridge. At first Obito is annoyed by Kakashi’s strict observation of the rules but later learns the reason behind it. Taking Minato’s advice, Obito tries to understand Kakashi. With Kakashi as their

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. To rescue their precious comrade, the two boys work together to defeat the Rock ninja. During the battle Kakashi loses his left eye while covering for Obito. Ashamed of his cowardice, Obito senses a change occurring within him. Finally making it to the enemy hideout, a tragic fate