Recaps

Naruto built Otogakure into a thriving village, made alliances, and recruited Zabuza and Haku while dealing with the Land of Rice daimyo and Akatsuki’s plans. After Mayfly attacked Naruto, Yoru shielded her, and Black Zetsu fled when the Nine-Tails sensed him.

• Naruto returned to Orochimaru and agreed to rejoin Akatsuki as Sky in exchange for its leaving Orochimaru alone, while Orochimaru supplied Shisui Uchiha with training scrolls for Uba Village.
• Naruto took control of Otogakure, defeated the village’s challengers, and secured Kakuzu’s investment to fund its development.
• Naruto expanded Otogakure through a clothing business, recruited residents, opened an academy, and enlisted Kakuzu to manage the village’s affairs.
• Naruto discovered Orochimaru had reincarnated into a young girl, introduced her as her adopted daughter Yoru, and moved Orochimaru’s followers to Otogakure.
• Naruto allied with Shisui Uchiha’s Uba Village and, with Mikoto Uchiha’s genjutsu, stopped the Land of Rice daimyo from taking control of Otogakure’s industries.
• Naruto disguised herself as Orochimaru to finalize the Konoha Crush Plan with the Fourth Kazekage, then joined Akatsuki and persuaded Nagato to shelter ostracized Jinchuriki.
• Naruto defeated Zabuza and saved Haku, recruited them to Otogakure, and sponsored Tazuna’s bridge project before Zabuza became an instructor and Haku joined Sound Ninja Apparel.
• Mayfly attacked Naruto in Otogakure, but Yoru summoned Triple Rashōmon to shield her, and Black Zetsu fled after the Nine-Tails detected him.

Naruto freed the Nine-Tails, entered the Chunin Ninja Exams under the name C.C, and used the invasion to take revenge on Konohagakure and kill Danzo. The Third Hokage died fighting Orochimaru’s reanimated Hokage, while Jiraiya and the others struggled against the One-Tail and Naruto left after confronting Hinata.

• Naruto removed the seal and freed the Nine-Tails, then accepted her as family as they began living and training together.
• Naruto went to the Chunin Ninja Exams disguised as C.C, defeated Rock Lee in the preliminaries, and helped Hinata defeat Neji with Lion Fist.
• Gaara and the One-Tail agreed to work together, while Naruto arranged for Yoru to help Orochimaru kill the Kazekage and take part in the attack on Konohagakure.
• Orochimaru revealed her disguise, summoned the First and Second Hokage, and joined the assault as Gaara released the One-Tail into the village.
• The Third Hokage sealed the First and Second Hokage with the Reaper Death Seal, while Naruto killed Danzo after defeating his Izanagi escape.
• Naruto attacked the Third Hokage, but the Four Violet Flames Formation fell and the One-Tail broke free as Might Guy and the sealing squad tried to expose and capture Gaara.
• Jiraiya arrived to fight the One-Tail, and the Third Hokage died after entrusting the battle to him.
• Naruto admitted to Hinata that she had used the Sand Ninja to make Konohagakure feel her pain, let Hinata wound her, then vanished as her Shadow Clone took the Scroll of Seals.

Naruto reclaimed Nine-Tails’ stolen Chakra, drew Gaara and Shukaku into Otogakure, and became Kazekage after Sunagakure’s leaders maneuvered her into the role. She remained committed to Otogakure and planned to use her new position to strengthen her plans across the other villages.

• Naruto and Kisame reclaimed Nine-Tails’ Chakra from Sora at the Temple of Fire, then defeated the pursuers sent to take it.
• Gaara chose to stay in Otogakure, and Naruto freed Shukaku from his seal after promising to provide for him there.
• Naruto traveled to Sunagakure with Temari, Kankuro, and Baki and offered the village money and help against Orochimaru.
• After Baki’s scheme led Sunagakure’s ninjas to test her strength, Naruto accepted the Kazekage position on the condition that she could remain away most of the time.
• Naruto decided Sunagakure could help her recruit the other villages’ Jinchuriki and told Qin to prepare a meeting.
• Naruto told Otogakure’s staff she would remain its boss, planned to use a Shadow Clone to manage Sunagakure, and arranged for Qin to oversee Otogakure while she traveled.

Naruto strengthened Sunagakure, helped Kazahana Koyuki reclaim the Land of Snow, and returned to Otogakure with new allies and complicated relationships. The arc ended with Koyuki departing after sharing a kiss with Naruto, while an Otogakure crow arrived nearby.

• Naruto rescued Fuji Kaze Setsu E from a water sphere, then convinced her to travel to the Land of Snow and continue filming.
• Naruto expanded Sunagakure’s training and trade, appointed Shura a Special Jonin, and arranged for Yamato and Kisame Hoshigaki to help turn the desert into a forest.
• Naruto helped Kazahana Koyuki confront Kazahana Dōtō, recover her country, and activate the Triangle Crystal at the Rainbow Ice Wall.
• Naruto returned to Otogakure with Tsurugi Fubuki, recruited Hozuki Suigetsu, and welcomed Mikoto Uchiha, though she was hurt when Mikoto initially came to verify her Kazekage appointment.
• Naruto took Mikoto and Tsurugi Fubuki to meet the Land of Wind’s Daimyo, refused his request to spread the oasis transformation, and had Mikoto use genjutsu on him and his officials.
• Kazahana Koyuki visited Otogakure to make a movie, spent a week with Naruto, and kissed him before leaving for the Land of Snow.
• Karin kissed Naruto at the harbor and fainted, so Naruto carried her away as Mikoto Uchiha and Tsurugi Fubuki watched, while an Otogakure crow descended nearby.