Chapter Summaries

Orochimaru explained his interest in the Fourth Hokage’s soul and encouraged Kabuto to accept his plans, while Minato taught Naruto the second stage of Flying Thunder God. In Tanzaku City, Naruto challenged Tsunade after she rejected becoming Hokage, and he won her necklace by using Flying Thunder God to take it from her.

• Kabuto angrily questioned why Orochimaru was risking so much for Naruto, and Orochimaru said he wanted to study the sealing technique that held the Fourth Hokage’s soul.
• Minato demonstrated the second stage of Flying Thunder God to Naruto inside the Sealing Space and urged him to improve his reaction speed.
• Jiraiya and Naruto reached Tanzaku City, where they found Tsunade drinking with Shizune and Jiraiya asked her to become the Fifth Hokage.
• Tsunade refused the position and dismissed Hokage as fools, prompting Naruto to challenge her and declare that he would become Hokage.
• Tsunade wagered her necklace on Naruto’s ability to take it, and Naruto used Flying Thunder God to seize it after she dodged his kunai.

Naruto kept Tsunade’s necklace despite Shizune’s warning that it was cursed, and he told her he would keep living until he became Hokage. The next day, Naruto discovered Kabuto spying on Tsunade and confronted him, then reached him by speaking about the person Kabuto cared for.

• Jiraiya told Naruto that Tsunade had let him keep the necklace because he had achieved the seemingly impossible, and warned him not to give it away or sell it.
• Shizune asked Naruto to return Tsunade’s cursed necklace, but Naruto refused and declared that he would not die before becoming Hokage.
• Tsunade listened to Shizune’s account of Naruto’s words and reflected on the Will of Fire and her grandfather, First Hokage Hashirama.
• Jiraiya followed Tsunade through town while Kabuto secretly watched them in disguise, but Naruto recognized and unmasked him.
• Naruto reminded Kabuto that he had treated Naruto’s training injuries and asked about Orochimaru’s research, prompting Kabuto to seize him by the throat before letting him go.

Tsunade refused Orochimaru’s offer to resurrect Nawaki and Dan unless he swore not to attack Konoha, and she joined Jiraiya in fighting him when he refused. Naruto was badly injured after throwing himself between them, but his intervention helped Tsunade overcome her fear of blood and heal him, leaving her embracing him as she wept.

• Tsunade told Orochimaru she would help him only if he promised never to attack Konoha, and she declared she would kill him if he refused.
• Jiraiya arrived with Naruto, and Tsunade and Jiraiya attacked Orochimaru after he said he might still destroy Konoha.
• Orochimaru used his own blood to trigger Tsunade’s fear, and Jiraiya carried her out of danger while fighting Orochimaru.
• Naruto rushed between Jiraiya and Orochimaru, taking wounds from Orochimaru’s snakes and Jiraiya’s Rasengan as he pleaded with them to stop fighting.
• Tsunade treated Naruto after he reminded her of her loved ones and promised to pursue his dream of becoming Hokage; Naruto’s inner power healed his injuries.
• Naruto vowed to protect Konoha, and Tsunade embraced him and cried.

Orochimaru agreed to leave Konoha alone for three years and used an Uzumaki mask to release the Fourth Hokage’s soul from the Reaper Death Seal. Jiraiya and Tsunade ensured the soul could return to the underworld, while Orochimaru’s injury left him wondering whether he would survive until Sasuke arrived.

• Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade agreed to stop fighting, and Orochimaru promised not to move against Konoha for three years.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade worried that Orochimaru was interested in Naruto because of the Nine-Tails, while Naruto walked beside Orochimaru and Jiraiya pulled him away.
• At his secret base, Orochimaru used an Uzumaki Clan mask to release the Fourth Hokage’s soul by cutting open the Death God’s stomach, which also severely wounded Orochimaru.
• Tsunade treated Orochimaru, and Jiraiya and Tsunade protected the Fourth Hokage’s soul until it began returning to the underworld.
• Naruto apologized to the soul after mistakenly calling it a bad person, and the soul circled him before disappearing.
• After Naruto and the others left, Orochimaru collapsed and told Kabuto that his body was nearly finished and he might not last until Sasuke came.

Naruto brought Tsunade back to Konoha, where she told Lee that giving up being a ninja was his best choice because surgery carried a fifty percent chance of death. After returning to Hinata’s home and speaking with Sakura about Sasuke, Naruto promised to meet Sasuke in a few days after training with Jiraiya.

• Tsunade returned to Konoha with Jiraiya, and Naruto took her to the hospital to examine Lee.
• Tsunade advised Lee to give up being a ninja, leaving Naruto troubled by Lee’s condition and its connection to Gaara.
• Naruto visited Sandstorm at the Hyuga Clan stables, then told Hinata about his travels and Lee’s situation.
• Hanabi demanded Naruto’s necklace, and Naruto tapped her forehead before suffering a sudden headache.
• Sakura asked Naruto about Sasuke’s injury and strange behavior, and Naruto said Sasuke had been defeated by a powerful enemy.
• Naruto told Sakura he would train with Jiraiya first and promised to visit Sasuke in a few days.

Naruto discovered he was still a Genin and confronted the Third Hokage, who explained why he had not been promoted. After Naruto and Konohamaru’s prank knocked the Third Hokage unconscious, Naruto began Wind Release training with Asuma and left determined to master it and earn a Jonin promotion.

• Hanabi interrupted Naruto’s leaf-cutting practice, and Naruto learned from Hinata that he was still a Genin while Shikamaru had become a Chunin.
• Naruto and Konohamaru confronted the Third Hokage, who explained that the feudal lords wanted Naruto to mature before taking on more dangerous missions.
• Naruto and Konohamaru used the Sexy Jutsu on the Third Hokage, causing him to faint, and Asuma walked in on the scene.
• Asuma collected a book about meridians for Tsunade, and the Third Hokage asked him to teach Naruto Wind Release.
• Asuma taught Naruto to imagine opposing blades sharpening Chakra, and Naruto went home to practice so he could become a Jonin and marry Hinata.

After the Sound Four defeated Sasuke and urged him to sever his bonds, he decided to leave Konoha to grow stronger and pursue revenge. He left Sakura unconscious at the village gate and continued on alone.

• Sasuke woke from a nightmare about Itachi, wandered to the former Uchiha compound, and brooded over his weakness.
• Sakon, Tayuya, Kidomaru, and Jirobo ambushed Sasuke, and Sakon defeated him even after Sasuke's Cursed Seal activated.
• The Sound Four told Sasuke that bonds and Konoha would weaken him, then vanished and waited outside the village until dawn.
• Sasuke stared at a Team Seven photograph, packed his things, and left his home to depart Konoha.
• Sakura confronted Sasuke at the village gate and begged to go with him, but he knocked her unconscious and left a warning for Naruto.

Naruto joined Shikamaru’s team to pursue Sasuke, who had left Konoha, and the group fought their way into a trap set by the Sound Four. After escaping the earth prison, Naruto caught up with Sasuke’s barrel, but a gray-haired boy appeared and demanded that Naruto hand Sasuke over.

• Naruto learned from Shikamaru that Sasuke had left the village and joined Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba, and Choji in pursuit.
• Sakura told Naruto that Sasuke had warned him to be prepared to die if he followed, and Naruto vowed to bring Sasuke back.
• The Sound Four trapped the team in Jirobo’s earth prison, which absorbed their Chakra, but Shikamaru found a way to weaken it.
• Choji broke through the prison, and the team split up to fight Jirobo, Kidomaru, Sakon, and Tayuya while Naruto continued after Sasuke.
• After chasing Sasuke’s barrel for a full day and night, Naruto encountered a gray-haired boy who demanded that he hand Sasuke over.

Naruto confronted Kimimaro, who revealed Orochimaru’s plan to take Sasuke and fought to carry it out despite his fatal illness. Lee and Gaara arrived to help Naruto pursue Sasuke, while Gaara and Lee stayed behind to face Kimimaro; Naruto caught up with Sasuke at the Valley of the End.

• Kimimaro demanded that Naruto hand over Sasuke, then unleashed his Cursed Seal and covered the area with bone spikes.
• Kimimaro explained that Orochimaru had saved him and that he was willing to die to fulfill Orochimaru’s wish, but Naruto condemned his devotion and struck him.
• Sasuke escaped from the barrel and ran toward the border, and Kimimaro attacked Naruto as he chased after him.
• Lee kicked Kimimaro away, and Gaara used sand to help Naruto leave the bone forest and pursue Sasuke.
• Naruto reached Sasuke at the Valley of the End as Gaara and Lee prepared to fight Kimimaro.

At the Valley of the End, Naruto tried to bring Sasuke back, but Sasuke explained that he was leaving to gain power and avenge Itachi. Their fight began, and Sasuke stopped when Naruto revealed that he knew about Orochimaru.

• Naruto urged Sasuke to return to Konoha, but Sasuke cut his cheek with a kunai and refused.
• Sasuke recalled their friendship and said that Itachi’s return had made him abandon his dream of peace to seek revenge.
• Sasuke described his childhood bond with the friend Itachi killed and admitted that he had grown close to Naruto partly because Naruto reminded him of that friend.
• Sasuke attacked Naruto, saying he needed to kill someone close to gain power, while Naruto insisted that Sasuke was his best friend.
• Naruto punched Sasuke and offered to introduce him to Pervy Sage or beg Grandpa Third to help him become stronger.
• Naruto blurted out that Uncle Snake was a worse choice, and Sasuke asked whether Naruto knew Orochimaru.

Naruto and Sasuke fought at the Valley of the End, where Naruto briefly convinced Sasuke to return to Konoha before Sasuke stabbed him and escaped. Gaara later found the unconscious Naruto and brought him back to Konoha.

• Sasuke accused Naruto of hiding the source of his strength and attacked him with the second stage of his Cursed Seal.
• The Nine-Tails took control of Naruto's Chakra, strengthening his Rasengan as it clashed with Sasuke's Chidori.
• After Naruto pleaded with him, Sasuke agreed to return to Konoha, but stabbed Naruto when he took Sasuke's hand.
• Sasuke left Naruto's forehead protector with him and escaped across the waterfall.
• In the Sealing Space, Minato and the Nine-Tails discussed Naruto and Sasuke's friendship and the secrets they had kept.
• Gaara found the injured Naruto in the water and brought him back to Konoha.

Naruto woke in the hospital after failing to bring Sasuke back, but he refused to abandon his promise to find him. After Neji revealed that Sasuke had ambushed Naruto, Hinata comforted Naruto as he finally cried over the betrayal.

• Naruto woke holding Sasuke's forehead protector and learned from Neji that Hinata had fainted when she saw his injuries.
• Hinata and Hanabi visited Naruto, while Neji described how the other members of the mission were recovering.
• Sakura brought Naruto get-well flowers, and Naruto apologized for failing to bring Sasuke back while promising he would keep trying.
• Neji deduced that Sasuke had attacked Naruto from below with a Jutsu while Naruto was off guard, and urged him to sever their bond.
• Naruto refused to give up on Sasuke, telling Neji that Hinata's refusal to abandon him had helped them reconcile.
• Hinata held Naruto and comforted him as he silently cried in her arms.

Naruto mourned Sasuke’s departure as Jiraiya invited him to leave Konoha for training and warned him that Akatsuki was targeting the Nine-Tails. At the Fireworks Festival, Naruto took Hinata and Hanabi out, helped Hanabi win a bear pelt, and sent a Shadow Clone to carry it to the Hyuga Clan.

• Naruto visited the dango shop and grieved over Sasuke’s departure while remembering their time together.
• Jiraiya told Naruto that Akatsuki was plotting to capture the Nine-Tails and invited him to train outside Konoha; Naruto agreed to think about it.
• Naruto and Hinata prepared to attend the Fireworks Festival, and Hinata reminded him to invite Hanabi too.
• Hanabi explored the festival stalls while Naruto carried her purchases, then argued with a stall owner over a rigged kunai game.
• Naruto pierced the stall’s wooden target with a kunai and won Hanabi a large Black Bear pelt.
• Naruto used two Shadow Clones to carry the festival goods and pelt toward the Hyuga Clan, promising them ramen as payment.

Naruto told Hinata he would leave Konoha to train with Jiraiya, and she reluctantly supported his departure after an emotional farewell. As Naruto set out, he returned to the Hyuga residence because he had forgotten Sandstorm, leaving Hanabi exasperated and Hinata in tears.

• At the fireworks festival, Naruto comforted Hinata and explained that the fireworks’ brief lives made them memorable, though he admitted Hinata had supplied the words.
• After the festival, Naruto told Hinata he would leave with Jiraiya to train and search for traces of Sasuke, and Hinata cried over their coming separation.
• Naruto said goodbye to Hyuga Hiashi and Hina Hyuga, who supported his journey and gave him travel money.
• At Konoha’s gates, Hinata reminded Jiraiya to look after Naruto, kissed Naruto goodbye, and watched him leave.
• Naruto realized he had forgotten Sandstorm and returned to the Hyuga residence, where Hanabi kicked him out after seeing Hinata’s distress.

Naruto and Jiraiya reached Sunagakure, where Naruto reunited with Gaara and returned Sandstorm. Naruto encouraged Gaara to pursue becoming Kazekage so they could improve their villages together, leaving Gaara smiling at the idea.

• Naruto and Jiraiya traveled across the Land of Wind on Sandstorm and reached Sunagakure, where Kankuro escorted them inside.
• Naruto told Gaara he had come to thank him and returned Sandstorm, whom Gaara joyfully embraced.
• Temari welcomed Naruto and Jiraiya into the house, and Gaara took Naruto upstairs to his room.
• Gaara told Naruto he had lost his goal after giving up killing and wanted to make life better for Sunagakure's people.
• Naruto urged Gaara to become Kazekage and promised they could work together to improve their villages and preserve their alliance.

Naruto helped Gaara reconnect with Temari and Kankuro, then slept beside him so he could rest without fearing Shukaku. When Baki tried to steal Naruto’s Nine-Tails seal, he discovered the beast had no seal and was forced to back down.

• Naruto shared dinner with Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro, and urged Gaara to accept his siblings’ offer to start over as a family.
• Gaara left without answering Temari and Kankuro, but Naruto followed him and spent hours playing games with him.
• Naruto brought his blanket into Gaara’s room and slept beside him, allowing Gaara to experience his first chosen sleep without fear of Shukaku.
• Baki sneaked into the room to search Naruto for the Nine-Tails’ seal, but found no seal and woke the Nine-Tails instead.
• The Nine-Tails intimidated Baki, who apologized and left, realizing he would have to treat Naruto as a protected guest.

Naruto visited Sunagakure with Gaara and persuaded Gaara and Shukaku to consider living in cooperation. Shukaku gave the Nine-Tails a portion of his power, while the two Tailed Beasts bickered over old memories.

• Baki nervously catered to Naruto at breakfast, then sent Gaara to show Naruto around Sunagakure.
• Naruto encouraged Gaara to become Kazekage and loudly announced his future leadership to the villagers.
• Naruto and Gaara bumped fists, entering a shared space where the Nine-Tails confronted Shukaku about his seal.
• Naruto urged Gaara and Shukaku to stop hating each other, and Shukaku agreed to trust Naruto and give the Nine-Tails some of his power.
• The Nine-Tails and Shukaku traded embarrassing stories about the other Tailed Beasts, while Naruto laughed at their bickering.

Naruto and Gaara worked together to break through a rock layer and bring water to Sunagakure, earning Gaara the villagers’ trust. After saying goodbye to Gaara, Naruto left with Jiraiya for the Land of Earth.

• Kankuro asked Naruto to demonstrate the Sexy Jutsu so he could adapt it for a puppet, but Temari caught him and dragged him away.
• Naruto dug a well in Sunagakure, and Gaara joined him despite the workers’ fear of Gaara.
• When the well diggers struck a thick rock layer, Naruto and Gaara combined Gaara’s sand with Naruto’s Rasengan to break through it.
• The well filled with water, and the workers praised Naruto and Gaara, with the foreman pledging support for Gaara as Kazekage.
• Naruto said farewell to Gaara and departed with Jiraiya, choosing the Land of Earth as their next destination.

Naruto and Jiraiya accidentally arrived in the Land of Snow after boarding the wrong ship, and learned they were broke and needed to take a mission. In Kazahana City, Jiraiya accepted a job protecting Princess Kazahana Koyuki from her power-hungry uncle, and Naruto eagerly agreed.

• Naruto woke aboard a ship surrounded by ice and learned that Jiraiya had taken him to the Land of Snow instead of the Land of Earth.
• Jiraiya revealed that he had spent nearly all of Naruto's money, so they needed to earn enough to return by taking a mission.
• Naruto and Jiraiya arrived in Kazahana City and met Kazahana Koyuki and Sandayu, who recognized Naruto from an encounter half a year earlier.
• Sandayu explained that Koyuki's uncle coveted the throne and controlled Snow Village, making Koyuki a target.
• Jiraiya assigned Naruto to protect Koyuki, and Naruto accepted enthusiastically after learning their enemy was made up of ninja.

Naruto and Kazahana Koyuki clashed over whether the villagers should resist Kazahana Dōtō, but Naruto later risked his life to save her when a Snow Ninja ambushed their cart. Stranded in a cave with a broken rib, Naruto kept Koyuki warm, and their conversation ended with her teasing him about marrying into her family and him bluntly saying he hated her.

• Naruto struggled to cut iron plates with Chakra while Kazahana Koyuki watched, until Sandayu reported that Kazahana Dōtō had threatened villagers to force Koyuki to come to him.
• Naruto angrily confronted Koyuki for calling the villagers foolish, then fainted after losing control of his Shadow Clone Jutsu.
• Koyuki traveled by ox cart to save the villagers, but a purple-haired Snow Ninja unleashed an Ice Release: One-Horned White Whale that sent the cart and an avalanche over a cliff.
• Naruto and Koyuki survived in a cave, where Naruto revealed that his ribs were broken and that he had shielded her during the attack.
• Naruto smothered their fire to hide their location, then shared his cloak with Koyuki to keep her warm through the night.
• Naruto told Koyuki he dreamed of becoming Hokage and marrying into Hinata's family, and he rejected her teasing offer to marry her and rule the Land of Snow.