Recaps

Naruto and Yugito grew closer as they shared stories about their lonely childhoods and spent several days together. A few days before the bet deadline, they went on a lunch date, unaware that Jiraiya was following them, and afterward headed out to spar.

• Yugito told Naruto that people in Kumogakure had shunned her as a child, and Naruto comforted her with a hug and shared his own painful past.
• Naruto and Yugito talked about their interests and romantic histories, and Naruto erupted with killing intent when he heard how a boy had insulted her.
• Over the next few days, Naruto trained with Shadow Clones while he and Yugito spent more time talking and getting to know each other.
• Naruto invited Yugito to lunch, and she teased him about asking her on a date before accepting and insisting he pay.
• Jiraiya followed Naruto and Yugito, imagining their outing as inspiration for a romance novel, while Yugito ate sushi at Naruto's expense.
• After lunch, Naruto and Yugito set out to spar, with Yugito linking her arm through his again.

Naruto and Yugito spent the day sparring and growing closer while Jiraiya received the Raikage’s reply to Konoha’s request. After walking Yugito back to her hotel, Naruto kissed her cheek, leaving their mutual affection clear.

• Naruto received his Shadow Clone’s memories of Shizune explaining Tsunade’s losses and the meaning of the First Hokage’s necklace.
• Naruto and Yugito sparred for hours, and Jiraiya arrived and asked why she was with his student.
• Yugito gave Jiraiya the Raikage’s reply, and he agreed she could stay until they persuaded Tsunade to return to Konoha.
• Naruto told Jiraiya he was walking Yugito home because they had been on a date, and Yugito panicked when Naruto thought she was angry and started to leave.
• Naruto and Yugito held hands on the way to her hotel, where he kissed her cheek and teased her about purring.

Naruto and Jiraiya learned that Orochimaru had offered to resurrect Nawaki and Dan in exchange for two living sacrifices, and they rushed to stop Tsunade. Naruto confronted Kabuto but was left unable to move after Kabuto cut his Achilles tendons.

• Yugito admitted to the Two-Tails that she had fallen for Naruto but refused to force herself on him.
• Shizune told Naruto and Jiraiya that Orochimaru had promised Tsunade he would resurrect Nawaki and Dan using two living sacrifices.
• Shizune treated Jiraiya after Tsunade drugged him, and the group went to find her.
• Naruto attacked Kabuto after finding him beating a terrified Tsunade, while Jiraiya faced Orochimaru.
• Naruto released his body’s restricting seal and struck Kabuto, but Kabuto healed quickly and counterattacked with chakra scalpels.
• Kabuto severed Naruto’s Achilles tendons, leaving him unable to move.

Naruto and Yugito teamed up against Kabuto while Tsunade struggled with her fear. After their combined attack missed, Kabuto moved to attack Tsunade, and Naruto rushed to stop him faster than ever before.

• Kabuto tried to kill Naruto, but Yugito arrived and wounded him with her Fire Whip Technique; Shizune was knocked unconscious while trying to help.
• Naruto carried Shizune to Tsunade and urged her to overcome her fear, then returned to help Yugito hold Kabuto off.
• Naruto and Yugito combined their Wind and Fire Release techniques to launch a powerful attack at Kabuto.
• The attack struck a substitution log, and Kabuto charged toward the immobilized Tsunade as Naruto raced after him at unprecedented speed.

Naruto protected Tsunade from Kabuto and defeated him with the Rasengan, but Kabuto's attack left Naruto near death. Tsunade declared herself the Fifth Hokage, drove Orochimaru away, and helped Yugito save Naruto, who briefly woke to say he had won their bet.

• Naruto took Kabuto's kunai through his palm, pinned his arm, and struck him with the Rasengan.
• Kabuto revealed that he had severed the chakra pathways to Naruto's heart, and Orochimaru rushed to kill the injured boy.
• Tsunade shielded Naruto from Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword, healed her wound with Creation Rebirth, and declared herself the Fifth Hokage.
• Yugito and the Two-Tails tried to keep Naruto alive while Tsunade and Jiraiya faced Orochimaru and Kabuto.
• Tsunade struck Manda with Gamabunta's sword, forcing Orochimaru to flee with Kabuto.
• Tsunade and Yugito treated Naruto, and he briefly woke to tell Tsunade he had won the bet before passing out again.

Naruto woke up after his injuries and found Yugito asleep beside him, then became embarrassed when Tsunade and Jiraiya caught them cuddling and took photos. Yugito left the room in a rush, and Naruto worried that she was upset with him.

• Naruto regained consciousness and found Yugito sleeping with her head on his chest.
• Naruto and Yugito slept for about two more hours before laughter woke them.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya revealed that they had taken several photos of Naruto and Yugito cuddling.
• Yugito hurried out of the room, leaving Naruto to wonder if she was angry with him.
• Naruto realized Shizune had been speaking to him and asked her to repeat what she had said.

Tsunade prepared to return to Konoha as Hokage, and she shared a tender moment with Naruto after their teasing turned into a mock fight. Meanwhile, Yugito worried that Naruto would think she was strange for sleeping beside him, and she failed to notice him enter the training ground.

• Naruto learned that Tsunade was returning to Konoha to become Hokage and teased her until they headed outside to fight.
• Tsunade dodged Naruto, removed his Forehead Protector, and kissed his forehead, thanking him for winning her necklace.
• Naruto thanked Tsunade, while she thought of him as a little brother or son.
• Yugito fretted to the Two-Tails that Naruto would be upset about her falling asleep against him.
• Naruto entered the training ground while Yugito remained distracted and unaware of him.

Naruto and Yugito confessed their feelings and traveled together to Konoha with Tsunade’s group. As they reached the village, Tsunade and Jiraiya discussed the possibility of an alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure and a future political marriage.

• Naruto found Yugito crying, comforted her, and kissed her after she revealed she had feared he would be angry with her.
• Naruto told Yugito he liked her too, and she explained that she had cried because she was happy he accepted and cherished her.
• Naruto invited Yugito to travel with him to Konoha, where Tsunade planned to become Hokage, and they hurried to pack.
• Several days later, Naruto and Yugito arrived outside Konoha with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shizune, having stayed close since confessing their feelings.
• Tsunade and Jiraiya compared Naruto and Yugito to Minato and Kushina and discussed a possible alliance and political marriage between the villages.

Naruto returned to Konoha with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Yugito, then brought Yugito to meet his classmates at their weekly barbecue gathering. The chapter ended as the group reacted to their arrival.

• Naruto and his companions reached Konoha's gates, where Izumo and Izumo Kamizuki let Yugito enter under the Sannin's protection.
• Naruto and Yugito walked through Konoha hand in hand, and Naruto invited her to meet his friends at a barbecue restaurant.
• Ino told the gathered Genin that Sasuke was hospitalized, Sakura was staying with him, Sai had left Team 7, and Naruto had been away with Jiraiya.
• Naruto led Yugito into the restaurant, where Shikamaru called her another troublesome blond and Choji stayed focused on the food.

Naruto introduced Yugito to his friends, but Neji’s hostility toward Kumogakure sparked a confrontation. Naruto defended Yugito from being blamed for her village’s actions and left with her.

• Naruto brought Yugito to meet his friends, while several of them reacted with curiosity, jealousy, or unease.
• Naruto introduced Yugito as a Kumogakure kunoichi who had come to coordinate cooperation between the villages and as his good friend.
• Neji rejected Yugito and insisted that Konoha would never cooperate with Kumogakure, prompting Tenten to apologize for his hostility.
• Naruto confronted Neji, citing Konoha’s own dirty actions and arguing that Yugito should not bear responsibility for her village’s sins.
• Naruto took Yugito’s hand and left, saying he was no longer hungry.

Naruto and Yugito left the barbecue restaurant together after Neji apologized for insulting her, and Yugito made peace with Hinata over their shared feelings for Naruto. They headed to the Diplomatic Hotel, where Naruto planned to spend time with Yugito around his training and other obligations.

• Neji apologized to Yugito for judging her unfairly and invited her to rejoin the meal with the others.
• Yugito told Hinata she knew Hinata liked Naruto and wanted to be friends, while Hinata said she would not give up on him but would not interfere.
• Kiba failed again to get Yugito's attention, and Naruto teased him as he and Yugito left the restaurant.
• Yugito said she needed to leave her belongings at the Diplomatic Hotel, and Naruto agreed to take her there.
• Naruto told Yugito he would train in Wind Release with Pervy Sage the next morning and visit an injured acquaintance, but could otherwise spend time with her.

Naruto began waterfall-cutting training with Jiraiya’s help, while Tsunade approved the terms of an alliance against the Akatsuki and proposed Yugito become the villages’ liaison. Yugito left delighted to tell Naruto, and Tsunade returned to her paperwork and sake.

• Jiraiya introduced Sparrow, who raised a cliff and created a waterfall at Training Ground Seven for Naruto’s training.
• Naruto made hundreds of Shadow Clones and began trying to sever the waterfall with chakra.
• Tsunade agreed to the cooperation terms against the Akatsuki and proposed adding Sunagakure to the agreement.
• Tsunade told Yugito she would suggest making her the official liaison between the villages, allowing her to see Naruto often.
• Yugito happily left to find Naruto, while Tsunade complained about paperwork and pulled sake from her desk.

Yugito visited Naruto while he completed his Wind Release training, then told him about Tsunade’s agreement to a temporary alliance and her new liaison role. After Naruto and Yugito became a couple at Ichiraku Ramen, an Anbu messenger summoned them to the Hokage’s office.

• Yugito arrived at Training Ground Seven and told Jiraiya that Tsunade had agreed to the treaty and suggested she serve as a liaison between the villages.
• Naruto trained with his Shadow Clones and, after nearly six hours, successfully cut through the waterfall with Wind Release chakra.
• Jiraiya, the Anbu member, and Yugito praised Naruto, and Yugito gave him a towel before asking him to treat her to lunch.
• Naruto and Yugito discussed the alliance at Ichiraku Ramen, where an Anbu member summoned Naruto to the Hokage’s office and called Yugito his girlfriend.
• Naruto asked Yugito to be his girlfriend, and she accepted with a kiss on his cheek.
• Naruto and Yugito hurried toward the Hokage building, wary that Tsunade might get angry.

Naruto and Shikamaru were promoted to chunin, and Naruto’s first assignment was a tedious gate-duty shift. After visiting Rock Lee at the hospital, Naruto went to see Sasuke, who challenged him to a fight.

• Tsunade promoted Shikamaru and Naruto to chunin, then ordered Naruto to report for his first mission the next morning.
• Naruto spent his mission on gate duty with Izumo and learned that Kurenai had destroyed Kakashi’s shipment of Icha Icha Paradise books.
• Naruto visited Rock Lee, who vowed to remain his rival and promised to run laps on his hands if he became a jonin after Naruto.
• Naruto visited Sasuke in the hospital, suggested Sakura ask Tsunade to teach her medical ninjutsu, and heard Sasuke challenge him to a fight.

Naruto and Sasuke fought on the hospital roof after Sasuke challenged him, and their spar escalated into a clash between Chidori and Rasengan. Kakashi and Jiraiya intervened before either technique could hit, and Jiraiya offered Naruto a spar instead.

• Naruto refused to fight Sasuke at the hospital, but Sasuke threw a kunai at him and insisted they battle on the roof.
• Naruto and Sasuke exchanged taijutsu, and Naruto used a clone hidden behind sheets to land a surprise kick on Sasuke.
• Sasuke insulted Naruto and charged at him with Chidori, prompting Naruto to form a Rasengan.
• Kakashi stopped Sasuke and reprimanded him for using Chidori against a comrade, while Jiraiya calmed Naruto and invited him to spar.

Tsunade sent Naruto and Shikamaru to retrieve Sasuke after he defected from Konoha, and the two began assembling a Genin team. They recruited Choji and split up to find Kiba and Neji or Hinata before setting out.

• Four members of Orochimaru's squad discussed taking a boy to him and left their hiding place.
• Tsunade told Naruto and Shikamaru that Sasuke had left Konoha with an Otogakure squad and ordered them to bring him back.
• Naruto questioned why Genin were being sent, and Tsunade explained that the available Jonin and Chunin were away or occupied and Jiraiya had disappeared.
• Shikamaru chose Kiba as tracker and considered Neji or Hinata as scout, then used his potato chips to lure Choji into joining them.
• Naruto ran off to find Kiba while Shikamaru was left to recruit Neji or Hinata.

Naruto assembled a team to pursue Sasuke after he defected to seek Orochimaru, then set out from Konoha with Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, and Choji. The next day, Neji spotted the Otogakure team and found Sasuke inside a coffin, his appearance altered.

• Naruto recruited Kiba for the mission to bring Sasuke back and packed his supplies.
• Naruto met Yugito on the way to the North Gate and explained Sasuke's defection to her.
• Shikamaru assigned the team their positions, and the group prepared to leave the village as Sakura pleaded with them to bring Sasuke back.
• Yugito caught up with Naruto, exchanged farewells and kisses with him, and watched the team depart.
• Kiba tracked the Otogakure team, and Shikamaru decided the group would keep moving before making camp for the night.
• Neji spotted the Otogakure team the next day and saw Sasuke inside a coffin with longer hair and strange markings on his body.

Naruto and the Konoha team pursued the Otogakure squad carrying Sasuke, but their fight split the group apart. After Naruto and Shikamaru recovered the coffin, Kimimaro appeared and took it back toward Otogakure.

• Kiba's sneeze exposed the Konoha team's ambush, and Jirobo trapped them inside an Earth Release dome while the others carried Sasuke away.
• Shikamaru devised a plan that let Choji break through the dome, and Choji stayed behind to fight Jirobo.
• Kidomaru trapped Shikamaru, Kiba, Naruto, and Neji with Chakra Threads, but Neji escaped and stayed behind to face him.
• Shikamaru used the Shadow Imitation Technique to make Tayuya attack Sakon, allowing Naruto and Shikamaru to recover Sasuke's coffin.
• Kiba stayed behind to fight Sakon while Tayuya pursued Naruto and Shikamaru, then Kimimaro appeared and carried the coffin toward Otogakure.

Naruto pursued Kimimaro to stop him from taking Sasuke to Orochimaru, learning that Orochimaru planned to use Sasuke as a vessel. After Lee arrived to take over the fight, Naruto raced after Sasuke.

• Naruto confronted Kimimaro and learned that Orochimaru intended to erase Sasuke’s consciousness and use his body as a vessel.
• Naruto attacked Kimimaro with Wind Release techniques, but Kimimaro’s bone armor blocked his strikes.
• Sasuke emerged from the coffin transformed and continued toward Orochimaru without responding to Naruto.
• Naruto and his Shadow Clones knocked Kimimaro down, but Kimimaro recovered and resumed close combat.
• Rock Lee arrived and told Naruto to leave Kimimaro to him and catch up with Sasuke.
• Naruto urged Lee to come back alive, then rushed after Sasuke.

Naruto caught up with Sasuke at the Valley of the End and fought to stop him from joining Orochimaru. After Sasuke seemingly defeated him with Chidori, Naruto drew on the Nine-Tails' chakra and rose again, leaving Sasuke barely able to block his first attack.

• Naruto confronted Sasuke at the Valley of the End, but Sasuke refused to return to Konoha and activated his Cursed Seal.
• Naruto and Sasuke clashed with their enhanced abilities, and Sasuke drove Naruto down to the foot of the waterfall.
• Sasuke used Chidori against Naruto's Rasengan, then struck Naruto through the chest from behind and walked away believing he had won.
• The Nine-Tails flooded Naruto with chakra, healing his wound and surrounding him with a crimson Demon Fox Cloak.
• Naruto charged Sasuke with newly heightened speed, and Sasuke barely blocked the blow.

Naruto overwhelmed Sasuke at the Valley of the End after both fighters unleashed their transformed powers. The fight ended with Naruto knocking Sasuke unconscious and deactivating his Cursed Seal.

• Naruto's Demon Fox Cloak chakra fists cornered Sasuke and battered him into the rock wall.
• Sasuke activated the Cursed Seal's second state and fought Naruto with claw-like wings and a black-and-silver Chidori.
• Naruto dodged Sasuke's attack, formed a second tail, and became so fast that Sasuke could not follow his movements.
• Naruto struck Sasuke repeatedly and drove him into the rock wall at the foot of Madara's statue.
• Naruto slammed Sasuke into the ground with a massive chakra arm, deactivating the Cursed Seal and knocking him unconscious.

Naruto regained control after fighting Sasuke, but Kabuto intercepted him and overwhelmed him while he was exhausted. Sasuke then struck Naruto with Chidori and ordered Kabuto to throw him into the river, leaving Naruto unconscious as the current carried him away.

• Naruto recovered from the Nine-Tails' influence and tried to carry Sasuke away, but Kabuto arrived and blocked him.
• Kabuto explained that Orochimaru had sent him as insurance and attacked the exhausted Naruto.
• Kabuto beat Naruto until Sasuke awoke and approached them with his uninjured hand gathering Chidori.
• Sasuke drove Chidori into Naruto's chest and ordered Kabuto to throw him into the river.
• Kabuto tossed Naruto's limp body into the current below the waterfall.

Kakashi and Pakkun found the aftermath of Naruto’s battle with Sasuke and traced Naruto’s blood to the river, but rain erased the trail before they could find him. Kakashi returned to Konoha with Naruto’s bloodied Chunin Vest, leaving Tsunade and Yugito convinced that Naruto had been killed.

• Kakashi and Pakkun examined the valley and determined Naruto had defeated Sasuke with the Nine-Tails’ chakra before Kabuto attacked him.
• Kakashi and Pakkun followed Naruto’s blood trail to the river, where it ended, then searched downstream until rain erased all trace of him.
• The battered retrieval team returned to Konoha without Naruto, and Shikamaru waited at the hospital while Choji and Neji underwent surgery.
• Tsunade told Shikamaru that Choji and Neji would recover, then went to her office.
• Kakashi showed Tsunade Naruto’s torn, blood-soaked Chunin Vest and said the wounds were made by Chidori.
• Yugito saw the vest, mourned Naruto, and ran from the office, vowing to kill Sasuke.

After Naruto was presumed dead, Jiraiya revealed to Tsunade that he was alive and planned to take him away for training. The chapter ended with Jiraiya leaving Konoha with Naruto under the Sannin’s freedom to come and go.

• Zetsu reported to the Akatsuki that Sasuke and Kabuto had killed Naruto, and the leader ordered Zetsu to search for him and capture him only if he was alone and unconscious.
• Tsunade called off the search for Naruto after the teams found no trace of him.
• Jiraiya told Tsunade that Naruto was safe and had survived his injuries, revealing that he was still alive.
• Jiraiya explained that he was taking Naruto away to train and that the Sannin and their students could enter and leave Konoha freely.
• Jiraiya said goodbye to Tsunade and left with Naruto, planning to return after training him.

Naruto woke on Mount Myōboku after the toads saved him from his fatal injuries, and Jiraiya began planning years of training there. Naruto learned that Jiraiya knew the truth about his parents and agreed to train until he was strong enough to hear it.

• Jiraiya's Shadow Clone disappeared after speaking with Tsunade, who realized he had taken Naruto to Mount Myōboku.
• Naruto woke in a hut on Mount Myōboku, where Sage Fukasaku explained that Jiraiya and the toads had used Reverse Summoning to save him.
• Jiraiya told Naruto they would stay on Mount Myōboku for several years to train in sealing, complete the Rasengan, and learn Senjutsu.
• Naruto worried that Yugito and his friends believed he was dead, and Jiraiya told him to write Yugito a letter.
• Jiraiya promised to reveal everything about Naruto's parents after he completed his training, and Naruto began studying the books Jiraiya had brought.