Jiraiya and Naruto finally track down Tsunade in a seedy gambling hall, and Naruto can't believe the offer Jiraiya makes her. But someone else has found Tsunade as well, with a sinister proposal of his own - Orochimaru! While Tsunade weighs her options, Naruto wears himself out working on the final stage of the Fourth Hokage's powerful jutsu. He's made a bet with Tsunade that he'll master the Rasengan, and he's only got a week to do it!

Tsunade turns the tables on Orochimaru, but her plan backfires when Kabuto shows up to save his master. It's one medic ninja against another, but though Tsunade's skills are legend, her one weakness may cost her dearly. Good thing she's got Naruto and Jiraiya to back her up! But when Naruto goes down, Tsunade must pit the last of her strength to save him in a battle between three of the greatest ninja of the Leaf - the legendary Sannin!

Naruto and Jiraiya head home with Tsunade and Shizune in tow, and the four stop at a hot spring resort for a little relaxation and an unexpected adventure. But at home again in Hidden Leaf Village, it's back to business. Tsunade's first task: heal the injured ninja. The others are successfully revived, but Tsunade has bad news for Rock Lee.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are on the ultimate mission: discover what Kakashi looks like behind his mask! Then, Tsunade sends Squad Seven to the Land of Tea and the village of Degarashi, where every four years two rival families hold a race to decide who will rule the village for the next four years. Jirocho, who represents the Wasabi family, asks the teammates to protect their runner, Idate.

Naruto has always thought of Sasuke as a friend, but when Sasuke awakens in the hospital to discover that Naruto has grown stronger, Naruto finds himself on the receiving end of Sasuke's fury. It's Chidori vs. Rasengan! Kakashi steps in to stop the battle, while in the shadows Orochimaru's Sound Ninja Four steal their way into the village with an offer for Sasuke he may not be able to refuse!

News of Sasuke's departure reaches the Fifth Hokage, who immediately gives new chunin Shikamaru his first mission as leader: bring back Sasuke! Shikamaru recruits some of his best friends for the job: Naruto, Choji, Neji and Kiba. With a chunin and four top genin on their heels, the sound Ninja Four race to get Sasuke over the border and into Orochimaru's hands.

While Neji unleashes his Byakugan on the spider-like Kidomaru, the others continue their pursuit of the Sound ninja and the coffin containing Sasuke. Shikamaru plans a successful ambush, but the victory is short-lived when the most fearsome Sound ninja yet arrives to bring Sasuke to the impatient Orochimaru.

While recuperating from his arduous battle, Kakashi realizes that his fight against Zabuza is not over and must teach his students how to control their chakra. Learning how to climb a tree without your hands may be painful, but Naruto realizes that it's nothing compared to the pained and anger-filled story of Tazuna's grandson Inari, who watched his father be destroyed by Gatoh, the vicious tycoon who will stop at nothing to keep Tazuna from completing his bridge!

Kiba and Akamaru together try to outwit the dual ninja Sakon and Ukon while Shikamaru faces Tayuya and her mysterious flute. But Naruto is up against perhaps the most intimidating challenger of all: Kimimaro! With an undying loyalty to Orochimaru and a gruesome Kekkei Genkai, Kimimaro may be Naruto's undoing - until help arrives in a most unexpected form!

The Leaf genin have just about exhausted their strength against the Sound Four when a trio of unlikely allies arrives: the Sand siblings! Meanwhile, Naruto finally catches up to Sasuke - but he's not the Sasuke of old. Now covered in curse marks and determined to go to Orochimaru, Sasuke reflects on his childhood and the brother he wants to both emulate and destroy. Is Naruto prepared to break the unshakeable resolve of this new Sasuke?

Sasuke once looked up to his older brother Itachi. Now, he'll do anything to destroy him. In the Final Valley, Naruto must do his best to turn Sasuke from the path of revenge. But Sasuke's resolve may prove too much for even the ninja who holds within him the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Naruto has a promise to keep, and he won't ever let go of the ties of friendship - but his friend is ready to do everything in his power to sever those ties forever.

Zabuza's back, and he's got company! Enter Haku: an orphaned ninja like Naruto who possesses the Kekkei Genkai, a bloodline trait that can defeat opponents in a matter of moments. Now, with Sasuke trapped inside Haku's Crystal Ice Mirrors, it's up to Naruto to come to the rescue before they are both destroyed!