Recaps

Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage and began tackling Konoha’s backlog, including approving an A-Rank mission to protect Fujikaze Yukie. Team 7 set out for the mission, while the Nine-Tails suspected it was the Land of Snow assignment from Awen’s memories and Naruto eagerly anticipated meeting Princess Gale.

• Tsunade successfully operated on Rock Lee, who survived the critical period and would be able to continue as a ninja after recovering.
• Tsunade was inaugurated as the Fifth Hokage and promised to protect Konoha and pass on the Will of Fire.
• Tsunade considered holding a sports festival, but Shizune explained that Lee’s recovery and Konoha’s piled-up missions made it impractical for now.
• Tsunade approved an A-Rank protection mission for Fujikaze Yukie and sent Shizune to summon Kakashi.
• Kakashi gathered Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura for a mission to meet their client at South Harbor Wharf in the Land of Fire.
• The Nine-Tails suspected the mission was the Land of Snow assignment, and Naruto became excited about meeting Princess Gale and getting her autograph.

Team 7’s mission to escort Fujikaze Yukie to the Land of Snow began with a misunderstanding when Naruto chased after her during her attempted escape. Naruto followed Yukie on horseback, saved several children from danger, and watched as she was thrown from her horse and knocked unconscious.

• Kakashi gave Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura tickets to Princess Gale Adventure before meeting their client, Sandayu.
• After the movie, Fujikaze Yukie rode away on a white horse, and Naruto chased after her while Sasuke and Sakura captured the knights pursuing her.
• Kakashi arrived, freed the bound men, and explained that Team 7 had misunderstood the situation; Sandayu said Yukie did not want to travel to the Land of Snow.
• Naruto caught up with Yukie, praised her as a fan, and rode behind her while she continued toward the Land of Snow.
• Naruto rushed to save children in the road, and Yukie was thrown from her horse at a bend and knocked unconscious.

Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke escorted Fujikaze Yukie aboard a ship bound for the Land of Snow, where she resumed filming after waking from her injury. As the crew watched her perform, Naruto tried to understand Kurama’s warning that the movie’s characters—including him—had serious flaws.

• Naruto returned with Fujikaze Yukie after she fell from her horse and hit a wall, then explained that he had learned to ride just that day.
• Fujikaze Yukie woke aboard a ship and realized she had been taken to sea despite not wanting to go to the Land of Snow.
• Kakashi warned Sakura and Sasuke not to underestimate their A-rank mission protecting Fujikaze Yukie.
• Kurama criticized the characters in Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow and warned Naruto not to act like his movie counterpart.
• Fujikaze Yukie began filming, repeatedly interrupted the scene to ask Sandayu for eye drops, and Naruto defended her acting and appearance.

Naruto warned the film crew that the iceberg blocking their route might be a trap, and Team 7 went to investigate. Snow ninja revealed Fujikaze Yukie's identity as Princess Kazahana Koyuki and attacked the group, leaving Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke fighting on the iceberg.

• In the Land of Snow, Nadare Rōga reported to Kazahana Dōtō that Fujikaze Yukie was Princess Kazahana Koyuki and that she had the Hexagonal Crystal.
• When an iceberg blocked the ship's route, Naruto warned the director it might be a trap, and Kakashi, Naruto, and Sasuke went to investigate while Sakura stayed behind.
• Kakashi's explosive kunai revealed Nadare Rōga, Fubuki Kakuyoku, and Mizore Fuyukuma, who confirmed Yukie's identity and moved to capture her and the Hexagonal Crystal.
• Kakashi fought Nadare Rōga, Naruto attacked Mizore Fuyukuma, and Fubuki Kakuyoku engaged Sasuke.
• Mizore's Chakra Armor blocked Naruto's Wind Release Rasengan, while Sasuke melted Fubuki's ice swallows and countered her Ice Prison Technique with a Great Fireball Jutsu.

Naruto, Kakashi, and Sasuke fought the Snow Ninja during a staged battle, then discovered that the actress Fujikaze Yukie was actually Princess Kazahana Koyuki. Sandayu revealed his plan to bring her back to reclaim the Land of Snow, and Naruto challenged him to consider whether the plan had the resources and Koyuki’s consent to succeed.

• Naruto and Mizore Fuyukuma clashed with Rasengan techniques, while Kakashi countered Nadare Rōga’s Ice Release with a copied One-Horned White Whale.
• Nadare Rōga ordered Fubuki Kakuyoku and Mizore Fuyukuma to retreat, and the director called the staged battle to an end.
• Fujikaze Yukie collapsed after the battle, and Kakashi recognized her as Kazahana Koyuki from a mission in the Land of Snow years earlier.
• Kakashi replaced the real Hexagonal Crystal with a fake and confronted Sandayu, who promised to explain the truth.
• Sandayu revealed that Kazahana Dōtō had overthrown Koyuki’s father, Kazahana Sōsetsu, and said he hoped Koyuki would lead a rebellion to reclaim the country.
• Naruto questioned whether Sandayu had prepared money, an army, intelligence, allies, popular support, and Koyuki’s own agreement.

Naruto challenged Sandayu to consider the people’s needs and Princess Koyuki’s wishes, then urged him to stay alive and help her after defeating Dotō. As Team 7 continued its mission through the Land of Snow, Naruto noticed railway tracks beneath the snow and wondered whether the country’s technology would later reach the Shinobi World.

• Naruto questioned Sandayu’s preparations and pointed out that his small group could not defeat Dotō or win the support of the Land of Snow’s people.
• The director argued that ordinary people cared more about their lives than who ruled them, and Kurama helped Naruto consider the difference between a country and a shinobi village.
• Kakashi asked whether the mission would continue, and Sasuke and Naruto agreed that Team 7 would protect Koyuki and defeat Dotō.
• Naruto told Sandayu that he had to stay alive to help Koyuki after Dotō’s defeat, moving Sandayu to tears as Koyuki listened outside the door.
• The group traveled toward a cavern, where Sandayu described a nearby village of their companions, and Naruto found railway tracks buried under the snow.

Naruto found Kazahana Koyuki after she ran away and convinced her that they had to defeat Kazahana Dōtō rather than flee the Land of Snow. When Dōtō’s men triggered a train derailment and the tunnel began to collapse, Naruto carried Koyuki out and brought down the cavern with a Rasengan.

• After the crew learned that Kazahana Koyuki had run away again, Kakashi sent everyone to search for her.
• Naruto tracked Koyuki by her scent, found her among the snow-covered pines, and carried her back through the tunnel.
• Koyuki asked Naruto to take her away, but Naruto promised to protect her and persuaded her to defeat Kazahana Dōtō first.
• Naruto noticed that the ice on the rails was melting, realized the train was about to derail, and ran with Koyuki on his back.
• Sandayu warned the film crew that Dōtō and his men had arrived, while the director stayed behind to film what happened.
• After the train derailed, Naruto carried Koyuki out of the tunnel and collapsed the cavern with Wind Release: Ultra-Big Ball Rasengan.

Naruto and his team confronted Kazahana Dōtō and the Snow Ninja after the train wreck, while Kazahana Koyuki overcame her fear and declared she would defeat Dōtō. The team defeated the Snow Ninja, and Naruto killed Dōtō with his newly completed Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.

• Kazahana Dōtō emerged from the collapsed mountain with the Snow Ninja and confirmed that he had come for the Hexagonal Crystal.
• Kazahana Koyuki stood beside Naruto and declared that she had come to defeat Dōtō, while Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived to support them.
• Naruto fought Dōtō as Kakashi battled Nadare Rōga and Sasuke and Sakura drew Fubuki Kakuyoku and Mizore Fuyukuma into the forest.
• Kakashi defeated Nadare Rōga, and Sasuke and Sakura destroyed Fubuki Kakuyoku and Mizore Fuyukuma with their coordinated attacks.
• Naruto used Shadow Clones to keep Dōtō occupied, then threw his Wind Release: Rasenshuriken and killed him through his Chakra Armor.

Naruto defeated Kazahana Dōtō with the Rasenshuriken, and Kakashi returned the real Hexagonal Crystal to Kazahana Koyuki. Koyuki refused to rule the Land of Snow and chose to remain an actress in Konoha, then agreed to see what her father had left behind.

• Naruto explained that he used Water-Nature Chakra to protect his hand from the Rasenshuriken's backlash, and Kakashi praised his S-rank technique.
• Kazahana Koyuki hugged Naruto in relief after he confirmed Kazahana Dōtō was defeated, and Kakashi gave her the real Hexagonal Crystal.
• Sandayu and his samurai celebrated Dōtō's death and asked Koyuki to take the throne, but she refused and said she wanted to continue acting in Konoha.
• Kurama explained to Naruto that Koyuki's wishes had not changed and that she had become ruler in the earlier events only because of what Naruto and her father left behind.
• Naruto suggested that Koyuki first see what her father had left for her, and she agreed to go with Team 7.

Kazahana Koyuki activated her father’s Geothermal Generator, chose to inherit the Land of Snow, and became its ruler. After she kissed Naruto at a group photo, the group reunited with Zabuza and Haku, leaving Koyuki suspicious of Naruto’s relationship with Haku.

• Kazahana Koyuki inserted the Hexagonal Crystal into the Rainbow Crystal Wall, awakening the Geothermal Generator and bringing spring to the Land of Snow.
• A projection of Kazahana Sōsetsu reminded Kazahana Koyuki of her childhood dreams, and she decided to inherit the Land of Snow.
• Kazahana Koyuki was crowned ruler, then kissed Naruto during a group photo before he and his team prepared to leave for Konoha.
• A minister announced that a merchant named Zabuza had arrived, so Kazahana Koyuki brought Naruto and the others to meet him.
• Naruto recognized Zabuza and Haku, and Kazahana Koyuki asked what Naruto’s relationship with Haku was.

Haku and Kazahana Koyuki discussed investing in the Land of Snow before turning their conversation toward Naruto, and Haku demonstrated her Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. After learning Naruto had mastered Wind and Water nature transformations, Haku brought him to the training ground to try developing Ice Release.

• Zabuza told Naruto and Kakashi that he and Haku had left the Land of Waves and settled in the Land of Demons, though he was considering the newly founded Land of Snow as a place to retire.
• Kakashi explained to Sasuke that the Land of Demons was a secluded, permanently neutral country, while Zabuza described its distinctive culture and the opportunities in the Land of Snow.
• Haku told Kazahana Koyuki that she was involved with Naruto, and Koyuki provoked her by revealing that she and Naruto had shared their first kisses.
• Haku's anger caused the room to grow cold and the teacup to freeze, revealing her Ice Release; she explained that it combined Water and Wind nature transformations.
• After Koyuki told Haku that Naruto had mastered both Wind and Water, Haku gathered him and the others at a training ground to help him try to develop Ice Release.
• Haku said that awakening Ice Release could allow Naruto to pass it to his children, and Naruto asked Kurama whether he might be able to develop the Kekkei Genkai.

Naruto learned Ice Release with Haku’s help before Team 7 left the Land of Snow, while Tsunade reactivated Root Division to strengthen Konoha and counter the elders’ influence. Shikamaru reported for duty as Naruto’s return from the Land of Snow approached.

• Naruto combined wind- and water-nature chakra to create Ice Release, and the Nine-Tails suggested the talent came from Awen.
• Haku gave Naruto a scroll containing her Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals technique before Team 7 departed the Land of Snow.
• Haku stayed behind with Zabuza and Kazahana Koyuki, while Koyuki planned to ask Haku to serve as an official in the Land of Snow.
• Naruto found Koyuki’s message on the back of his signed photo, urging him to become an outstanding Hokage.
• Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura confronted Tsunade over restoring Danzo’s position and reactivating Root Division, but Tsunade defended her decision as Hokage.
• Shikamaru Nara reported for duty to Tsunade, who remarked that Naruto would likely cause trouble when he returned.

After returning from the Land of Snow, Naruto’s new Ice Release and poor academic record were discussed at the Hokage’s office. Meanwhile, Sasuke chose to leave Konoha for Orochimaru, knocking Sakura unconscious as he departed.

• On the way back to Konoha, Naruto showed off his Ice Release and said he wanted to combine it with the Rasengan and use it in daily life.
• Kakashi reported the mission to Tsunade, who explained Naruto could not become a Chunin until he improved his theoretical knowledge.
• Tsunade read that Naruto had mastered the Rasenshuriken and developed Ice Release, and she and Shizune speculated about his ancestry.
• Sasuke read Orochimaru’s invitation, packed his belongings, and left home to meet the Sound Ninja Four.
• At Konoha’s gate, Sakura tried to stop Sasuke, but he knocked her unconscious and left to seek power for revenge.

Naruto learned that Sasuke had left Konoha and pursued him alone, using Kurama’s power to defeat the Sound Four. He caught up with Kimimaro as the latter carried Sasuke’s barrel, and their fight began.

• Shikamaru told Naruto that Sasuke had defected, but Naruto stayed composed and set out alone to retrieve him.
• Naruto used Flying Thunder God Movement to reach the Sound Four, then drew on Kurama’s Chakra as Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Sakon stayed behind to stop him.
• Orochimaru learned Naruto had disrupted his plans, but agreed to wait three years before taking Sasuke’s body after Kabuto warned that his current body was failing.
• Naruto defeated Kidomaru, Tayuya, and Sakon, then killed Jirobo with a Crimson Jade Rasenshuriken as Jirobo carried Sasuke in the barrel.
• Kimimaro picked up the barrel and continued onward, but Naruto caught up with him in a grassy field, where Kimimaro prepared to fight.

Naruto defeated Kimimaro with an Ice Release: Rasenshuriken, whose freezing power swept across the surrounding forest. When Sasuke emerged from the barrel, Naruto let him leave with a letter rather than trying to stop him, then reunited with Shikamaru and the others.

• Kimimaro attacked Naruto with finger bones, but Naruto overwhelmed him and forced him to use his final Bracken Dance.
• Naruto and the Nine-Tails formed an Ice Release: Rasenshuriken, which froze Kimimaro and shattered him.
• Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba, and Choji felt the unnatural cold and hurried through the forest to support Naruto.
• Sasuke emerged from the barrel with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and declared that he would leave to pursue revenge.
• Naruto gave Sasuke an envelope and let him go, then told Shikamaru and the others that the mission had failed because he had lost track of Sasuke while fighting Kimimaro.

Sasuke read Naruto’s letter, accepted that Naruto still supported him, and continued toward Orochimaru while relying on the Curse Mark’s power. Naruto ended the pursuit after the rain erased Sasuke’s trail, and Tsunade confronted him about deliberately letting Sasuke go.

• Sasuke read Naruto’s apology and warning that Orochimaru would need a new vessel within three years, then burned the letter after memorizing it.
• Sasuke activated Curse Mark Stage Two, then reverted and continued on his way as the rain began to fall.
• Naruto told his team to abandon the pursuit because the rain had erased Sasuke’s scent and they were in poor condition.
• Shikamaru reported the failed mission to Tsunade and concealed Naruto’s unauthorized actions.
• Tsunade dismissed the others, kept Naruto behind, and accused him of deliberately letting Sasuke go.

Naruto learned that Tsunade had secretly sent Sasuke undercover to infiltrate Orochimaru, then supported Sakura as she resolved to become Tsunade’s apprentice. After months of missions and adventures, Naruto prepared to leave Konoha with Jiraiya for training, while the Nine-Tails planned to meet with the other tailed beasts and Jinchuriki.

• Naruto learned that Tsunade had assigned Sasuke a confidential S-rank mission to infiltrate Orochimaru’s side, and promised to keep the plan secret.
• Naruto apologized to Sakura for making her worry, and she decided to ask Tsunade to train her so she could become stronger.
• Sakura became Tsunade’s apprentice, while Naruto and his allies handled the Fuma Clan matter and later missions that included searching for the Dream Fragrance Bug and facing Raiga Kurosuki.
• Naruto experienced events from Awen’s memories and prevented tragedies, including Natsuhi’s, before preparing to leave Konoha with Jiraiya.
• On the night before departing, Naruto wondered whether he had forgotten meeting a mysterious girl, but the Nine-Tails dismissed the memory as imagination.
• The Nine-Tails told Naruto that he would train with Jiraiya while its consciousness used an Ice Release Shadow Clone to meet the other tailed beasts and Jinchuriki.

Naruto prepared to leave Konoha for a long training journey with Jiraiya while he and the Nine-Tails secretly planned to prepare for the Akatsuki and future threats. After reading letters from Haku and Kazahana Koyuki, Naruto said goodbye to his companions and departed with Jiraiya.

• The Nine-Tails planned to take Naruto's Ice Release Shadow Clone to draw chakra from the other Tailed Beasts and help prepare the Jinchuriki for the Akatsuki and other enemies.
• Jiraiya woke Naruto before dawn and gave him letters from Haku and Kazahana Koyuki, who described her longing for him and her failed effort to form a partnership with Konoha.
• Naruto read the letters and wrote replies while Jiraiya told him about Nadeshiko Village and proposed visiting it during their travels.
• Jiraiya recalled his marriage-battle agreement with Nadeshiko Village's previous chief and decided he would take Naruto there despite Naruto's lack of interest.
• Naruto mailed his reply, said goodbye to the companions who came to see him off, and left Konoha with Jiraiya for training.

Naruto and Jiraiya traveled to the Land of Water while investigating Li Feiyu’s movements and possible connection to Akatsuki. After failing to find information there, Jiraiya left with Naruto and said their next stop before Mount Myoboku would be Nadeshiko Village.

• In a snowy cave, Jiraiya showed Naruto a wanted notice for Li Feiyu and explained his suspicion that Li Feiyu was targeting the Tailed Beasts.
• Naruto realized that Kurama and his Ice Release Shadow Clone had caused the activity Jiraiya attributed to Li Feiyu, and silently apologized to Li Feiyu for the misunderstanding.
• Jiraiya concluded that Li Feiyu’s next target was the Tailed Beast in Kirigakure and took Naruto to the Land of Water despite Naruto’s reminder that the Three-Tails was missing.
• After searching the Land of Water for a week without finding useful information, Jiraiya left with Naruto.
• Jiraiya promised to take Naruto to Mount Myoboku after one final stop and revealed that he was taking him to Nadeshiko Village.

Naruto learned that Jiraiya was taking him to Nadeshiko Village to settle an old duel agreement, and he decided to save Sagiri after recognizing that Shizuka’s lover was destined to die. Back at the inn, Naruto’s Ice Release Shadow Clone returned with its memories and gathered tailed-beast chakra, including a story about humiliating the Fourth Raikage.

• Jiraiya told Naruto they were traveling to Nadeshiko Village so Naruto could fulfill the duel agreement Jiraiya had made with its former chief.
• Naruto saw Nadeshiko Shizuka and Sagiri together at a night market and recognized that Sagiri would eventually be killed.
• Shizuka told Sagiri that she could not be with him because Naruto would arrive to duel her, and Sagiri sadly wished her happiness.
• Naruto decided to intervene and save Sagiri after they reached Nadeshiko Village.
• Naruto’s Ice Release Shadow Clone dispelled, returning its memories and the Nine-Tails’ consciousness to him.
• Naruto learned that the Shadow Clone had warned the other Jinchuriki about Akatsuki, gathered chakra from seven tailed beasts, and escaped Kumogakure after attacking the Fourth Raikage as Li Feiyu.

Naruto and Jiraiya traveled to Nadeshiko Village so Naruto could settle an old agreement by fighting Nadeshiko Shizuka. Naruto resolved to defeat her without marrying into the village, and their battle began with him easily evading her attacks.

• Naruto woke from a forgotten dream and told Nine-Tails he no longer intended to deliberately fight Shizuka to a draw.
• Jiraiya and Naruto reached Nadeshiko Village, where guards verified Jiraiya's identity using the village chief's letter.
• Shizuka arrived with Tokiwa and faced Naruto in an arena before the village's female ninja and two elders.
• Naruto mentioned seeing Shizuka sneak out, and she angrily attacked him with Gale Fist.
• Shizuka used Vacuum Dance, Second Form, to throw Kunai, but Naruto knocked them all aside.

Naruto refused to marry into Nadeshiko Village and challenged its customs, defeating every female ninja there to show that its rules could change. The village chief accepted his resolve, then revealed that the village’s rules meant the women he defeated now belonged to him.

• Naruto told Nadeshiko Shizuka and the village elders that he would not marry into the village and condemned its restrictive customs.
• Naruto urged Nadeshiko Shizuka to reject rules she disliked, then challenged the village’s female ninja to fight him.
• Naruto defeated 123 female ninja, while Jiraiya comforted Nadeshiko Shizuka and she wondered whether Naruto had fallen in love with her.
• Naruto used Mini Rasengan to defeat the remaining fighters, and the previous village chief arrived to acknowledge his resolve.
• The previous village chief explained that every female ninja Naruto defeated now belonged to him, startling Naruto as the women blushed and Jiraiya teased him.

Naruto left Nadeshiko Village with Jiraiya and traveled to Mount Myoboku to learn Senjutsu. After half a month of training, he mastered Mount Myoboku’s perfect Sage Mode, and Fukasaku prepared to begin the final stage.

• Nadeshiko Shizuka told Tokiwa to end her correspondence with Sagiri because she feared Naruto might misunderstand.
• Naruto left Nadeshiko Village with Jiraiya, puzzled by how he had changed Shizuka’s feelings, and asked to go to Mount Myoboku.
• Jiraiya agreed to take Naruto to Mount Myoboku the next morning and warned him that Senjutsu was difficult to learn.
• After half a month of training, Naruto mastered Mount Myoboku’s Sage Mode with only markings around his eyes.
• Fukasaku praised Naruto’s talent and led him to begin the final stage of training.

Naruto struggled to use Sage Mode in combat because he could only hold natural energy for five minutes, and Kurama proposed storing it in a seal. With Jiraiya and the toads agreeing to help, Naruto began preparing for a risky new method of Sage Mode training on Mount Myoboku.

• Sage Fukasaku tried to maintain Naruto's natural energy, but Kurama's chakra repelled him and knocked him away.
• Kurama suggested Naruto store natural energy in a seal, drawing on Sasuke's Curse Mark and Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Technique.
• Naruto explained the idea to Jiraiya, Sage Fukasaku, and Sage Shima, and Jiraiya warned him that Senjutsu Chakra could be dangerous.
• Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima agreed to help Naruto, but said he could no longer use Shadow Clones to train.
• Jiraiya advised Naruto to place his Sage Art Seal below his navel rather than between his eyebrows, and Naruto agreed.

After two and a half years of training, Naruto returned to Konoha and reunited with Sakura, Konohamaru, and Tsunade. Tsunade arranged for four Jonin to test Naruto’s improved strength.

• Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi completed a D-rank mission to capture Little Tiger and complained that they could not take more challenging missions.
• Naruto and Jiraiya returned to Konoha, where Naruto celebrated his homecoming and reunited with Sakura.
• Konohamaru showed Naruto his Sexy Jutsu, Jiraiya fainted, and Sakura punched Naruto for encouraging him.
• Naruto met Tsunade at the Hokage Office, where she showed him the letters he had received from the Land of Snow.
• Tsunade called in Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai Yuhi to test Naruto’s training results.