Episode 439: Tsunade's reading is interrupted when her candle burns out. Shizune replaces it and asks her not to overdo it. Jiraiya battles the four-tailed Naruto, who destroys Jiraiya's chakra-suppressing seal. Jiraiya manages to immobilise Naruto and thinks back to Gamamaru's prophecy. Sasuke thinks back to being unfavourably compared to Itachi by their father, and begins fighting Sasori's puppets. The other genin join the fight to protect Sasuke while Team Jiraiya observes the fight. The masked man and Neji debate on the genin's motivation to fight. Sasori reveals more of his puppets. Naruto thinks back to his Rasengan training with Minato, and manages to suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra. Jiraiya retreats, and sends Naruto to help his teammates. Naruto manages to use the Rasengan, and uses it with several clones to dispatch Sasori's puppets, causing him to retreat. The genin congratulate Naruto, and decide to look for their kidnapped team leaders. Neji asks the masked man if his test has yielded the results he expected, and surprises him by calling him his father.
Episode 440: Tsunade reads on, and is surprised when Neji calls the masked man his father. Shizune arrives with alcohol for Tsunade, who drinks up and resumes reading. Neji asks about the kidnapped shinobi, and the masked man tells him Team Jiraiya will take him there. The masked man leaves Neji to reunite with his comrades. The Konoha genin join as one team, and discuss how to find the kidnapped shinobi. They're joined by Neji. The masked man appears to Team Jiraiya, Hidan, Kakuzu, and Sasori, telling them the test is over. Hidan, Kakuzu, and Sasori leave, while the others are instructed to take the evacuated villagers back to their homes, as well as one other thing. Neji finishes explaining the nature of the experiment they participated in. Konan creates paper butterflies to lead the genin to the captured shinobi, and leaves with her team. The genin find the captured shinobi and release them. Kurenai asks them about the recent events, and the masked man arrives, offering to explain it himself. He removes his mask and bandages, revealing himself as a reincarnated Hizashi Hyūga. Neji explains the Hyūga Affair, and Hizashi explains how he was reincarnated by a bandaged man, and orchestrated the incident to ascertain if his death had effects on how Konohagakure handles its affairs. Hizashi and Neji discuss Neji's motivations, and how there were changed after fighting Naruto. Neji's words allow Hizashi to let go of his attachments, and his soul is released. Yahiko sets off to the village to return Komichi his teddy bear Kenta. An explosion suddenly wipes out the village, and Nagato spots Kenta damaged, and grows furious, believing Yahiko to have been killed.
Episode 441: In the morning, Tsunade complains about the bad ending to Jiraiya's novel. Shizune brings her breakfast. Tsunade begins reading the second volume of Jiraiya's novel. In it, the four Konoha genin teams report to Minato. Despite having disobeyed direct orders, doing so resulted in the mission's success, so there are no repercussions. They discuss this among themselves. In the hospital, Jiraiya recovers from the injuries inflicted by Naruto when the Nine-Tails' chakra took over. He recounts finding Orochimaru, and discovering evidence linking him to the latest incident. Fugaku berates Sasuke for failing to stop his teammates from breaking the rules. Itachi arrives to deliver a report to Fugaku, so Sasuke leaves. At Yakiniku Q, the other genin discuss the explosion at the other village. Itachi and Sasuke discuss their father, and the recent negotiations between the Uchiha and the village. Sasuke requests Kakashi to teach him a new jutsu, so Kakashi begins teaching him the Chidori. Itachi learns from Minato he intends to keep his promises to the Uchiha clan. Sasuke witnesses Naruto being taught the Giant Rasengan by Minato. Fugaku dismisses Sasuke and is unimpressed by his training. Sasuke learns the Chidori, but knowing that Naruto is expanding his Rasengan, he asks Kakashi how much further he can take the Chidori.
Episode 442: Sasuke wonders about his proficiency with the Chidori and considers asking Fugaku, but he tells him he's busy. Itachi invites Sasuke to participate in a discussion with their father. Fugaku questions Itachi, who reports he believes Minato's efforts in changing the way the Uchiha are treated are sincere. Itachi adds that for it to happen, the Uchiha must change as well, meeting them in the middle. Sasuke is appalled by Itachi's comment, but is cut off by Fugaku, who is certain Itachi came to that conclusion after careful consideration, and considers finding common ground a good decision. Sasuke resents Fugaku always siding with Itachi. Itachi reveals the Uchiha have been chosen for a long term mission that would keep some of them away. Fugaku's support for Itachi taking on the mission angers Sasuke, who channels his frustration into his Chidori training. Sakura brings him food, but an enraged Sasuke tosses it aside, causing Naruto to request him to apologize. Sasuke further antagonizes Naruto, and the two begin fighting, despite Sakura's attempts to defuse the situation. Minato intervenes just as they are about to clash Chidori and Rasengan. Minato is taken aback by Sasuke's anger, which only grows stronger when he sees the destruction caused by Naruto's Rasengan is much greater than what he has achieved with the Chidori. Minato asks Naruto why he used the Rasengan against Sasuke, and Naruto explains Sasuke's constant refusal in acknowledging him, vowing to make it happen someday. Sasuke and Fugaku talk, and Sasuke decides to no longer expect anything from his father, and asks something from him. Sasuke requests to be taken off Team 7, is transferred to the Leaf Police Force, and leaves to shadow other Uchiha on their long term mission. Jiraiya makes Naruto realize that Sasuke's request means that in some way, he is aware of Naruto's strength. Jiraiya intends to leave to find out more about Orochimaru, and Naruto suggests going with him to train. With Team 7 split up, Sakura, unwilling to lag behind Naruto and Sasuke, takes up the opportunity and requests to be trained by Tsunade who accepts. On the move, Shisui questions Sasuke's resolve in joining the mission, when everyone else is ranked above him and Sasuke explains his motivation. Kushina, Minato, Sakura, and Team 10 go see Naruto and Jiraiya off. Orochimaru and Danzō meet to discuss who is to blame for the failure of the plan involving Hizashi, that was supposed to take out a large amount of pro-Minato shinobi. Danzō is to select a future vessel for Orochimaru. Three years go by, during which Naruto trains with Jiraiya and learns senjutsu, Sasuke trains with Shisui and further develops the Chidori, and Sakura trains with Tsunade to learn the Reverse Seal. Upon his return to the village, Fugaku learns from the reports Sasuke became second only to Shisui, and when Sasuke declares he will also surpass Itachi, he promotes him in the Leaf Police Force, to see it Sasuke can back his claims up with action. Sasuke accepts, and leaves, angrily remembering the day he left Konoha.
Episode 443: Sasuke's Leaf Police Force unit defeats a gang of thieves and beats them up. The unit takes them through Konoha, where the population is scared by their aggressive methods. Sasuke and the other Uchiha discuss their jobs and the relations with the village. Minato, Hiruzen, and Itachi discuss the group's escalating violence in their duties, agreeing they must tread carefully. Chōji, Ino, Sakura, and Shikamaru observe a now deserted street over the police's tight regulations, where there used to be many food carts. A recently arrived Naruto observes the same. The four update Naruto on how things have changed. The Uchiha harass an elderly shopkeeper, but Naruto intervenes. Sasuke senses something different with Naruto, but before their fight escalates, they're stopped by Danzō. Naruto and the others leave with the shopkeeper, and Danzō asks Sasuke for how long he'll hold himself down. Danzō is observed by Kakashi. Naruto and the others discuss curbing Sasuke's overreach, and are overheard by the other Uchiha, who inform Sasuke. The villagers gossip about the police's run-in with Naruto, and, unauthorized, they look to confront Naruto at his home and also threatening to arrest Kushina. The Uchiha involved are arrested, Fugaku expresses his disappointment in Sasuke's development, and dismisses him from the police force. Wanting for power, Sasuke visits Danzō, who suggests he train with Orochimaru and leaves the village.
Episode 444: Sasuke knocks Izumo and Kotetsu out on his way out of Konoha. He is intercepted by Kakashi, who asks what he is doing. Sasuke thanks him for his training, but explains he is unsatisfied with his progress, revealing he is going to train with Orochimaru, and incapacitates Kakashi with genjutsu. Upon waking up, Kakashi relays the information to Hiruzen, Minato, and Tsunade, herself informing the others about Jiraiya's intel regarding Orochimaru's imminent need for a new vessel. Sakura overhears their conversation. Minato wants to handle the situation internally as discreetly as possible, to avoid worsening the already delicate situation with the Uchiha, and orders a lockdown. The Konoha 11 meet up at the Academy at night, where Sakura and Shikamaru informs the others about Sasuke's departure. Naruto and Shikamaru sneak out of the village through a tunnel created by Kiba, and Naruto promises Sakura to bring Sasuke back. Neji notices someone else sneaking out as well. Kushina informs Minato that Naruto and Shikamaru have escaped the lockdown. Naruto and Shikamaru are attacked by Root Anbu sent by Danzō to ensure no one interferes with Sasuke reaching Orochimaru. Team Guy intercepts the attack. As the fight goes on, Shikamaru realises these are not regular Anbu. Sasuke continues on his way to Orochimaru.
Episode 445: A group of Sand shinobi have lost track of their target. From above, Deidara flies on his dragon, and sends one of his clay figures their way, killing them. Zetsu watches it from afar, and its halves discuss Deidara, who arrives shortly. They are met by Hidan, who berates Deidara for blasting the Sand shinobi, and Kakuzu, who manages to retrieve a body not too damaged. They all leave together. Naruto manages to unmask the Root member fighting him, revealing her to be Anko. Shikamaru realizes their mission is to ensure Sasuke reaches Orochimaru, and has the group flee from the fight and continue pursuing Sasuke. Lee stays behind to stall the Root shinobi, but one of them engages him, allowing the others to continue. Lee takes off his weights and opens the fifth of the Eight Gates. Kakuzu delivers the corpses to a bounty station. Zetsu, Deidara, Kakuzu, and Hidan meet up with Sasori, who intervenes when an argument begins between Deidara and Hidan. Hidan accuses Sasori of siding with Deidara, and in turn is reminded of the Hizashi incident, and that Akatsuki as is might exist because of Deidara. He was the one responsible for the explosion that destroyed the village and killed Yahiko years ago, and Sasori presented Nagato and Konan with a Flying Raijin Kunai, blaming Minato and Konoha for the explosion. In Ame, Nagato vows to make Konoha know his pain, through the Deva Path, using Yahiko's body. Lee fights the Root shinobi, and Tenten stays behind to stall another when they begin to catch up with the group. Orochimaru waits for an approaching Sasuke. Naruto, Neji, and Shikamaru continue to give chase, followed by two remaining Root shinobi.
Episode 446: Naruto and Shikamaru follow onto the tower to find Sasuke, while Neji stays behind to prevent the two remaining Root Anbu from following them. Anko reveals she is accompanied by an ink clone, while the other Anbu flies above them on an ink bird. Neji fights Anko. Shikamaru stays at the tower's entrance to fight Sai. Sasuke meets up with Orochimaru. On his way up the tower, Naruto is captured by Yamato. Naruto taps into the Nine-Tails' power, freeing himself and growing four tails. Yamato tried to stop him, but his jutsu fails, and Naruto begins growing a fifth tail. Sasuke demands power from Orochimaru, and screams in pain when he is branded with the Cursed Seal of Heaven. His screams snaps Naruto out of his transformation, whose chakra knocks Yamato out. Naruto reaches Sasuke, and after a few words the two begin fighting. Naruto gathers natural energy from a shadow clone he prepared and enters Sage Mode, which catches Orochimaru's eye, despite expiring soon. Sasuke sends a Fire Release jutsu up in the sky, setting up a thunderstorm. Sasuke uses Kirin against Naruto's Rasenshuriken. Sasuke lands a blow on Naruto, who explains why he's going so far to bring Sasuke back. Naruto again channels the Nine-Tails' chakra. Itachi suddenly appears and throws himself into Sasuke's attack, getting killed in the process. Sasuke walks away from the battlefield having awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Episode 447: Naruto wakes up and is told by Shikamaru that Sasuke is nowhere to be found, and that the Anbu they were fighting retreated. While Tsunade updates Minato on the shinobi Sasuke attacked when he left the village, Shizune arrives with news someone infiltrated the village. Pain arrives and talks to Tsunade, vowing to cause the village pain. Pain attacks the village with a gigantic Chibaku Tensei. Naruto and the others arrive in the morning to find a crater where Konohagakure was supposed to be, with the Chibaku Tensei floating above it. Neji confirms the chakra of the villagers is inside it with his Byakugan. Naruto meets up with Sakura, who was away on a mission and is also puzzled by what happened. Sakura begins healing Naruto's injuries, and Naruto uses the time to mould sage chakra. Inside the Chibaku Tensei, Minato discovers he can't teleport outside. The Chibaku Tensei begins compacting, and Shikaku and Inoichi begin coordinating a strategy to protect the village from being crushed. Minato asks Hiruzen, Tsunade, and Kushina to help him setting up a Four Crimson Ray Formation to counter the crushing and buy them some time. The Six Paths of Pain meet up with Naruto, who releases a shadow clone, and enters Sage Mode, and they begin fighting. Naruto manages to take out five of the six, but is pinned down by the Deva Path. Hinata comes to his rescue, but is struck down by Pain, causing Naruto to grow six tails. Pain traps Naruto inside another Chibaku Tensei.
Episode 448: Lee observes Pain from afar. Sakura treats Hinata's injury. Shikamaru looks up to the True: Chibaku Tensei technique. In his mind, Naruto grows angry, and demands the fox to give him more chakra, who cautions him that he can still not control its power. Kushina feels something is wrong with Naruto because the Nine-Tails' chakra in her is disturbed. Minato has Ino contact those outside, and Shikamaru updates them on what is happening outside. Hearing about Naruto, Kushina decides to take a drastic measure. She manages to contact him in his mind. She intends to pass on her Nine-Tails entirely to Naruto, but the Nine-Tails in Naruto assures her it won't be necessary. She passes a portion of the chakra to Naruto, who manages to break through the Chibaku Tensei and defeat Pain. Naruto tracks Nagato down, who's words remind Nagato of Yahiko, convincing him to release Konoha. Minato and Fugaku discuss Sasuke and Itachi. Sasuke attacks Orochimaru, but collapses from being poisoned. Sasuke wakes up and is approached by Sasori, who offers him Akatsuki's help in achieving his goals. Sasuke wants to destroy Konoha.
Episode 449: Tsunade informs Konoha 11 of Sasuke killing Orochimaru and suspicions of him joining the Akatsuki. They head to search for him while Sasori reveals a mass of puppets to rule the world. Sasuke questions his decision to destroy the village. Itachi appears, alive, to help Sasuke realize the wrong path he is walking. When Konoha 11 fight Sasori and the other Akatsuki members, Sasuke joins with his former comrades. Minato and shinobi from the other hidden villages arrive to help seal away the puppets. Sasori uses puppets of the Raikage, Mizukage, and Tsuchikage to fight Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. Jiraiya arrives with Nagato and Konan, telling Naruto he will be the new member of Team Jiraiya. Itachi comes to assist Sasuke and defeat the Kage puppets. Naruto and Sasuke combine their powers to destroy Sasori. Afterwards, Naruto asks Sasuke to return home and he agrees but says he will change the world in his own way.
Episode 450: Sasuke agrees to return to Konoha, but denies being comrades with the others again, intent on changing how the village works. Naruto and Sasuke fight on Orochimaru's old hide out, arguing about the past, Sasuke accusing Naruto of advancing too fast, leaving him behind. After fighting it out, Naruto and Sasuke make up, and return to Konoha. Tsunade wakes up from having fallen asleep reading Jiraiya's novel when Dan calls her. In the real world, Tsunade mumbles in her sleep, as she and countless others are trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Rating: 9/10(Average)
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