Recaps

Naruto and Sasuke fought in the Palace hall while Naruto divided his attention between Sasuke and the threat of Orochimaru. Naruto’s hidden sword attack forced Sasuke to unleash the Cursed Seal, leaving Naruto facing his transformed opponent.

• Naruto and Sasuke exchanged sword blows as Naruto kept watch for Orochimaru’s shadow.
• Sasuke’s Lightning Release-powered Kusanagi Sword broke Naruto’s iron sword.
• Naruto used a Sealing Scroll to produce another sword and clashed with Sasuke’s Lightning Release, numbing both their arms.
• Naruto concealed a second blade beneath his robe and launched a Cassock Slash at Sasuke’s exposed side.
• Sasuke activated the Cursed Seal, grew fleshy wings that caught Naruto’s hidden strike, and temporarily overcame the numbness.
• Naruto pulled his damaged sword free and retreated as he regarded Sasuke’s transformation warily.

Naruto Uzumaki fought Sasuke Uchiha in Cursed Seal mode, using his Nintaijutsu to counter Sasuke’s aerial attack while avoiding a lethal finish. After the brief clash, Naruto taunted Sasuke about the Jianghu title “Divine Eagle Hero,” and Sasuke silently raised his lightning-wreathed Kusanagi Sword to continue the fight.

• Naruto decided to wear Sasuke down and probe his abilities rather than kill him, hoping Sasuke would later awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
• Sasuke used his fleshy wings to take the air and fired a black-and-white Chidori Sharp Spear at Naruto.
• Naruto used Wind Pressure Pull to redirect and scatter the lightning spear, then backed away as Sasuke descended.
• Naruto teased Sasuke about his “Divine Eagle Hero” title and his Cursed Seal appearance, while Sasuke stared at him without replying.
• Sasuke raised his Kusanagi Sword as black-and-white lightning coiled around it, preparing to resume the battle.

A storyteller recounted Naruto Uzumaki’s victory in the Land of Snow and his duel agreement with Sasuke Uchiha, while revealing that Yukie Fujikaze was Princess Kazahana Koyuki. Neji Hyuga learned the tale but could not discover Naruto’s whereabouts, leaving him frustrated and eager to find him.

• The storyteller described Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki fighting to a standstill before agreeing to duel again beside the Naka River in a year.
• The storyteller praised Naruto for helping Kazahana Koyuki reclaim the Land of Snow and said the Geothermal Generator would bring spring to the country.
• A skeptical audience member challenged the tale, so the storyteller revealed that Kazahana Koyuki was the famous actress Yukie Fujikaze.
• Neji Hyuga tipped the storyteller a thousand ryō and asked where Naruto Uzumaki was.
• The storyteller admitted he did not know Naruto’s whereabouts, and Neji silently vowed not to beat Naruto to death if they met.

Naruto discovered that Orochimaru had disguised himself as Jiraiya and that the real Jiraiya had been traveling with Sasuke. After helping Kazahana Koyuki restore the Land of Snow, Naruto set out for Konoha with Orochimaru following him, while Orochimaru warned that the Hyuga Clan and its Caged Bird Seal could complicate Naruto’s return.

• Orochimaru, disguised as Jiraiya, and the real Jiraiya revealed themselves by clashing with Sage Art: Goemon and Many Snakes Formation, and Naruto realized the two mentors had exchanged students.
• Jiraiya took Sasuke away, while Naruto helped Kazahana Koyuki stabilize the Land of Snow, locate and activate the Spring Descent Deity, and restore life to the frozen land.
• Kazahana Koyuki was crowned Daimyo, and Naruto chose gifts for Hinata, Hanabi, Hyuga Hiashi, and Neji before leaving for Konoha.
• Orochimaru followed Naruto after dropping his disguise and admitted that he had taken Naruto from Konoha partly because of their agreement with Jiraiya and partly because he was interested in Naruto’s potential.
• At a way station, Orochimaru critiqued Naruto’s Nintaijutsu and warned him that the Hyuga Clan’s Caged Bird Seal could make his return to Konoha difficult.

Naruto asked Orochimaru why he left Konoha for the Imperial Court, then learned their reasons for heading toward Sunagakure and rejected Orochimaru’s offer of a high-ranking post. They continued toward the Land of Wind, with Naruto intent on revenge before returning to Konoha.

• Naruto asked Orochimaru why he left Konoha, and Orochimaru said the Imperial Court offered him greater freedom and opportunity.
• Naruto and Orochimaru agreed to attack Sunagakure from its lightly defended flank: Naruto wanted revenge, while Orochimaru wanted to study Magnet Release.
• Orochimaru asked about Naruto’s future plans, and Naruto complained that he had wanted to live comfortably with a wealthy woman before Orochimaru disrupted his prospects with Hinata.
• Orochimaru offered Naruto a Thousand-Man Commander position and promised he could become Deputy Commander the following year, but Naruto gave no commitment.
• Naruto decided to take revenge on Sunagakure before returning to Konoha, and he and Orochimaru continued toward the Land of Wind.

Rasa encountered Orochimaru and Naruto in the desert and tried to flee, but Naruto used Flying Thunder God to intercept him with a sword strike. Rasa unleashed Gold Dust Imperial Funeral to defend himself and counterattack.

• The chapter explained Sunagakure’s dependence on the Land of Wind’s daimyo and how Naruto’s success at taking missions had worsened the village’s financial troubles.
• Rasa returned from prospecting for gold dust and unexpectedly came face-to-face with Orochimaru and Naruto.
• Rasa immediately fled on a gold dust platform and raised a golden wall to stop his pursuers.
• Orochimaru pursued Rasa, while Naruto threw his sword ahead of Rasa’s escape route and teleported to it using Flying Thunder God.
• Naruto drew his sword and slashed at Rasa, who responded with Gold Dust Imperial Funeral, forming a shield and sending golden spears toward Naruto.

Naruto and Orochimaru pressed Rasa in the desert, while Rasa mistook Naruto for Minato Namikaze’s secret son. Rasa survived Naruto’s lightning attack, but the hunt continued.

• Naruto escaped Rasa’s attack with Flying Thunder God, and Rasa recognized the resemblance to Minato Namikaze and suspected Naruto was his son.
• Orochimaru summoned a giant snake and used Hidden Shadow Snake Hands to attack Rasa.
• Rasa blocked Orochimaru’s snakes with Gold Dust Round Dance, then destroyed them from within using Magnet Release: Penetration.
• Naruto struck from beneath the sand, but Rasa blocked his sword with gold dust.
• Naruto channeled lightning through the conductive gold dust, forcing Rasa to sever his chakra connection and leap away; the lightning singed Rasa’s hair.

Naruto and Orochimaru defeated and sealed Rasa, then tried to make him reveal Sunagakure's defenses and resources. Rasa refused, and Naruto threatened him with increasingly degrading punishments, leaving the captured Kazekage furious and horrified.

• Orochimaru and Naruto overwhelmed Rasa after about half an hour of fighting, and Naruto sealed his chakra with the Four Symbols Seal.
• Naruto asked Orochimaru how to handle Rasa, then demanded information about Sunagakure's defenses, troops, and supplies.
• Naruto threatened to seal Rasa in a cesspit for a hundred years if he refused to cooperate.
• Rasa refused to betray Sunagakure, declaring that he would rather die than give up information.
• Naruto praised Rasa's resolve, then threatened to sell him to wealthy patrons before sealing him in a cesspit.
• Rasa angrily questioned whether everyone from the Land of Fire's Martial Pacification Office used such shameless methods, while Orochimaru chuckled.

Naruto’s threats broke Rasa’s resistance, and he gave up limited intelligence about Sunagakure while concealing its vital secrets. After Orochimaru explained that Naruto was Jiraiya’s adopted son, Rasa accepted that as the reason for Naruto’s bizarre behavior and resigned himself to his fate.

• Orochimaru reconsidered recruiting Naruto after hearing his threat to imprison Rasa in a cesspit for a hundred years.
• Rasa gave in and disclosed some border checkpoints, patrol routes, and supply stockpiles, but hid Sunagakure’s most important secrets.
• Rasa tried to probe Naruto’s origins by mentioning his father, but Orochimaru said Naruto was an orphan adopted by Jiraiya.
• Rasa concluded that Jiraiya had led Naruto astray and closed his eyes, resigned to whatever Orochimaru and Naruto chose to do with him.
• Orochimaru watched Rasa accept his fate and glanced at Naruto with a gleam in his eyes.

Orochimaru killed Rasa and sealed his body for research after deciding he had no further use alive. Naruto obtained Rasa’s scroll on Magnet Release training, and he and Orochimaru left the desert before Sunagakure could search for them.

• Orochimaru snapped Rasa’s neck and sealed his corpse in a scroll for research.
• Orochimaru searched Rasa’s clothes and found a scroll titled “Training methods for the Magnet Release Secret Technique.”
• Orochimaru explained that kekkei genkai could be created through chakra nature fusion and that the scroll might help Naruto understand Magnet Release.
• Naruto kept the scroll for its potential insights into chakra transformation and his own techniques.
• Orochimaru and Naruto left the desert to avoid Sunagakure’s search for the missing Kazekage.

At an inn, Jiraiya brought Sasuke to seek medical help from Tsunade while Ino and Sakura questioned him about Naruto. Jiraiya refused to reveal Naruto’s whereabouts, and Sasuke resolved to recover and grow strong enough to defeat him.

• Jiraiya told Sasuke that he had become roughly evenly matched with Orochimaru and claimed he had continued to grow stronger.
• Ino recognized Jiraiya and hurled a jar of liquor at him, but he caught it effortlessly.
• Jiraiya praised Tsunade’s liquor and revealed he had brought Sasuke to her for treatment after Sasuke’s recent injuries and Cursed Seal side effects.
• Ino asked Jiraiya where Naruto was and whether he was all right, while Sakura listened anxiously.
• Jiraiya gave the girls no details about Naruto, saying only that Naruto was finding his own way and could take care of himself.
• Sasuke silently resolved to recover, grow stronger, and defeat Naruto as his Sharingan activated.

Jiraiya brought Sasuke to Tsunade for treatment and explained that he had taken Orochimaru’s student in retaliation for Orochimaru taking Naruto. Tsunade agreed to examine Sasuke, while Ino worried about Naruto’s situation.

• Jiraiya greeted Tsunade and asked her to treat Sasuke’s hidden injuries and unstable condition.
• Tsunade recognized something unsettling in Sasuke’s power and agreed to treat him because Jiraiya had asked.
• Jiraiya introduced Tsunade as Hashirama Senju’s granddaughter and praised her medical ninjutsu as unrivaled.
• Tsunade observed that Sasuke seemed more like Orochimaru’s student, and Jiraiya admitted he had disguised himself and taken Sasuke after Orochimaru took Naruto.
• Tsunade led Sasuke to the backyard for a thorough examination, while Ino grew more worried about Naruto.

Jiraiya learned that Tsunade had accepted a mission involving a cult trying to unseal the ancient Greater Demon Red Swallow. After consulting Sage Fukasaku, he resolved to face the danger with Tsunade and seek a way to stop the cult.

• Sasuke left the Inn-Clinic after his treatment, and Tsunade rejected Jiraiya's payment before giving him a mission letter.
• Jiraiya read that a cult in the Land of Hot Water planned to break Red Swallow's seal, and Tsunade admitted she took the commission to clear her gambling debt.
• Jiraiya considered consulting the Great Toad Sage and summoned Sage Fukasaku to ask about Red Swallow.
• Sage Fukasaku confirmed that the Great Toad had encountered Red Swallow long ago and warned Jiraiya that the demon was no laughing matter.
• Jiraiya insisted that Tsunade would join him and declared that he would not stand by while people suffered.

Jiraiya visited the Great Toad Sage on Mount Myōboku to learn Red Swallow’s weakness. The Great Toad Sage hinted that it lay somewhere Red Swallow could never find, leaving Jiraiya to search for its meaning.

• Sage Fukasaku brought Jiraiya to Mount Myōboku to consult the Great Toad Sage about Red Swallow.
• Jiraiya avoided Sage Shima’s insect stew before Sage Fukasaku led him to the Great Toad Sage.
• The Great Toad Sage fell asleep while trying to explain Red Swallow’s weakness, then woke and said it was somewhere Red Swallow could never find.
• Jiraiya decided to search for the hidden weakness, but left the Palace troubled by the cryptic clue and thoughts of Tsunade.

Jiraiya tried to leave the inn alone for a dangerous mission, but Sasuke confronted him after overhearing his conversation with Tsunade. Jiraiya left despite Sasuke’s concern, while Sasuke resolved to recover and grow stronger to pursue his revenge.

• Jiraiya slipped out of the inn before dawn, but Sasuke stopped him from the second-floor landing and asked about the mission he had accepted.
• Sasuke admitted he had overheard Jiraiya and Tsunade discussing the dangerous mission, then claimed he wanted to know the cost of his treatment.
• Jiraiya revealed he had taken most of Sasuke’s money from his wallet and used it to pay Tsunade’s medical fee.
• Jiraiya said the mission was troublesome, told Sasuke to stay and recover, and left the inn alone.
• Sasuke returned to his room, reflected on Jiraiya’s departure, and resolved to recover quickly so he could grow stronger and avenge his clan.

Jiraiya disguised himself as a Martial Pacification Office officer and pulled Tsunade out of a gambling house. After warning her about the threat posed by the legendary demon Red Swallow, he set out with her for the Land of Hot Water.

• Jiraiya disguised himself as an ordinary officer and used Sasuke Uchiha’s Martial Pacification Office badge to enter a gambling house.
• Jiraiya found Tsunade gambling in disguise and pretended to arrest her, using the badge to quiet the gamblers.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade dropped their disguises in a deserted alley, and he urged her to hurry because Red Swallow might break free of its seal.
• Jiraiya gave Tsunade a veiled bamboo hat to conceal her identity, and she reluctantly put it on.
• Jiraiya and Tsunade left Tanzaku Town for the Land of Hot Water while Sasuke Uchiha remained at the inn, considering his next steps.

Hiruzen Sarutobi explained to Hyuga Hiashi how Orochimaru had taken Naruto away and how Konoha learned of events in the Land of Snow. He also described the origin of the title “Kage” and left Hiashi with the news that Konoha would bring Naruto back while allowing hidden observers to see more of its intentions.

• Hyuga Hiashi voiced concern that Naruto’s role in Kazahana Dōtō’s assassination could endanger the Hyuga Clan and asked how Konoha learned about it.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed that Orochimaru had disguised himself as Jiraiya and taken Naruto away, while Ino had overheard Jiraiya and Tsunade discussing the truth.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi explained that Konoha’s intelligence network had tracked the Land of Snow incident.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi told Hiashi that village leaders used “Kage” as a private title meaning “shadow daimyo,” despite Hashirama Senju’s earlier rejection of it.
• Hiruzen Sarutobi said Konoha would not intervene openly in the Land of Snow but would call Naruto back and reveal more to those watching from the shadows.

Naruto and Orochimaru questioned Temari after capturing her in the Kazekage's residence. Naruto revealed his interest in Gaara and marked Temari with the Flying Thunder God technique as he asked her to explain Gaara's past.

• Orochimaru questioned Naruto about the elaborate chakra-suppressing bindings on Temari, and Naruto said Jiraiya had taught him the technique.
• Temari demanded to know why Naruto and Orochimaru had broken into the Kazekage's residence, and Naruto reminded her of Sunagakure's ambush against him.
• Temari recognized Naruto as the swordsman who had survived the mission she led with Kankuro and Gaara, and she defended their actions as a ninja's duty.
• Temari threatened to kill herself rather than endure humiliation, while Orochimaru watched with interest.
• Naruto said he was more interested in Gaara, placed a Flying Thunder God mark on Temari's abdomen, and asked her to tell him Gaara's story.

Temari recalled how Rasa and Sunagakure’s treatment of Gaara turned her once-innocent little brother into a feared jinchūriki. Bound in a basement before Naruto and Orochimaru, she broke down as she remembered recognizing Gaara’s plea for help beneath his monstrous transformation.

• Temari admitted that Gaara had become a monster, but realized he had not been born one.
• Temari remembered that Gaara’s childhood innocence faded after Shukaku’s power first overwhelmed him when he was about five.
• Temari recalled learning that Gaara had been made Sunagakure’s jinchūriki and raised by Rasa as a weapon after their mother died giving birth to him.
• Temari remembered Gaara losing control during the failed mission against Naruto, when Kankuro urged her to flee the raging sandstorm.
• Temari saw loneliness and a plea for family in Gaara’s remaining human eye and froze instead of leaving him.
• Temari slumped against the ropes binding her in the basement and silently wept before Naruto and Orochimaru.

Temari insisted that Gaara was a troubled child rather than a monster, but Gaara broke into the basement while pursuing Naruto, the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki. Naruto and Orochimaru escaped to the courtyard, where Gaara identified Naruto and expressed his desire to fight him again.

• Temari declared that Gaara was her little brother and had never wanted to become a monster, and Naruto challenged her about how afraid of him she had been.
• Gaara smashed through the basement wall after Shukaku sensed the Nine-Tails, then formed a sand spear and aimed it at Naruto.
• Naruto and Orochimaru used Earth Release techniques to flee through the ceiling while Gaara’s sand shield protected him and Temari from falling debris.
• Gaara told Temari that Shukaku had smelled the Nine-Tails on Naruto and asked whether Naruto was its Jinchūriki.
• From the courtyard, Naruto teased Gaara about getting along with Shukaku, and Gaara replied that he had beaten the tailed beast into submission.

Naruto restrained Kurama from using his power against Gaara, explaining that revealing their full strength would make them a target for the major shinobi villages and other factions. As Gaara prepared to fight, Naruto drew his sword and suggested they move somewhere with more room.

• Gaara rose from the basement hole as sand swirled around him, and Orochimaru weighed retreating after securing Rasa's corpse.
• Kurama sensed Shukaku inside Gaara and urged Naruto to fight, eager to confront his old rival.
• Naruto persuaded Kurama that revealing his full strength would provoke the shinobi world into trying to eliminate or control him.
• Kurama grudgingly agreed to hold back unless Gaara directly challenged him.
• Naruto drew his sword, gathered golden Wind Release chakra along its blade, and asked Gaara to fight somewhere with more room.

Naruto held his own against Gaara before breaking through Gaara’s Sand Coffin Bind with a water dragon infused with lightning. The compound attack rushed toward Gaara as the watching Sand Ninja reacted in disbelief.

• Gaara ignored Naruto’s suggestion about protecting his home and attacked him with Shukaku’s Spear and sand tornadoes.
• Naruto countered Gaara’s relentless spear attacks with precise swordplay, wind release, and controlled footwork.
• Orochimaru praised Naruto’s skill as Sunagakure’s patrol ninja and guards gathered but hesitated to intervene.
• Gaara realized Naruto was holding back and launched Sand Coffin Bind to ensnare him with sand tendrils.
• Naruto formed a Water Dragon Prison around himself, broke through the tendrils, and infused the dragon with lightning to create Pseudo-Storm Release: Lightning Dragon.
• Gaara raised a thick sand shield as Naruto’s lightning-and-water dragon charged toward him.

Naruto’s Lightning Dragon broke through Gaara’s defenses and triggered a Partial Tailed Beast Transformation as Shukaku’s chakra healed and strengthened him. Kurama then taunted Shukaku inside Gaara’s consciousness, leaving Gaara and Shukaku even more enraged at Naruto.

• Naruto’s Lightning Dragon pierced Gaara’s Sand Armor and damaged the left side of his face and arm.
• Gaara entered Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, and Shukaku’s chakra repaired his injuries and boosted his strength.
• Kurama invaded Gaara’s consciousness and mocked Shukaku for his weakness and crude sealing.
• Shukaku raged at Kurama’s taunts, while Gaara’s transformed body shook and his hostility toward Naruto intensified.

Gaara entered his possessed form and summoned a vast sandstorm while Naruto attacked him with a new Wind Release technique. Naruto’s strike failed to stop Gaara’s transformation, and Gaara began turning into Shukaku.

• Gaara raised a sandstorm and used a gentle stream of sand to carry Temari to Kankuro.
• Kankuro watched Gaara, while Orochimaru sent a white snake underground to escape the battlefield.
• Naruto unleashed Wind Release: Hurricane Rasengan to clear Gaara’s sand defenses and create an opening.
• Gaara caught Naruto’s Shadow Clone and slammed it into the ground, while the real Naruto attacked from behind with Fierce Lightning Flash.
• Naruto’s punch pierced Gaara’s body but did not stop his transformation, and Gaara began shifting into his Complete Tailed Beast form.

Naruto used the Eight Trigrams Seal to stop Gaara's complete Tailed Beast Transformation and suppress Shukaku. Naruto vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving the Sand Ninja stunned and Gaara with the seal restored on his back.

• Naruto's sealing runes forced Gaara out of his Tailed Beast Transformation and drove Shukaku back into the Sealing Space.
• Naruto tossed the exhausted Gaara aside as the surrounding Sand Ninja watched without daring to move.
• Naruto disappeared from the battlefield using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
• The Sand Ninja realized Naruto had effortlessly overwhelmed Gaara, while Gaara wondered why Shukaku had gone silent.
• The sealing runes on Gaara's back gathered into the Eight Trigrams Seal.