E1
Feb 15, 2007
A figure passes through the gates. It's an older Naruto, who has returned from a long training journey with Jiraiya. Naruto Uzumaki is back!
E2
The Akatsuki Makes Its Move
23m Feb 15, 2007
Naruto and Sakura team up and challenge Kakashi to a survival challenge to show off their progress.
E3
The Results of Training
23m Feb 22, 2007
Naruto’s and Sakura’s combined skills force Kakashi to use his Sharingan right off the bat. Naruto masterfully unleashes his jutsu one after another.
E4
The Jinchuriki of the Sand
23m Mar 1, 2007
Gaara is quick to detect Deidara’s presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.
E5
The Kazekage Stands Tall
23m Mar 15, 2007
Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.
E6
Mar 29, 2007
In order to protect his village from Deidara’s explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.
E7
Mar 29, 2007
Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki’s efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.
E8
Team Kakashi, Deployed
23m Apr 12, 2007
An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki’s kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.
E9
The Jinchuriki's Tears
23m Apr 12, 2007
On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead…
E10
Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons
23m Apr 19, 2007
The Sand ninja fight against time to treat Kankuro. Even the Sand’s poison expert, Granny Chiyo, is baffled. The only hope lies with the reinforcements sent by Tsunade.
E11
The Medical Ninja's Student
23m Apr 26, 2007
Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she’s now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.
E12
The Retired Granny's Determination
23m May 3, 2007
Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.
E13
A Meeting With Destiny
23m May 10, 2007
Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s mind.
E14
May 17, 2007
Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s mind.
E15
The Secret Weapon is Called...
23m May 24, 2007
Granny Chiyo and Sakura rescue Naruto from Itachi’s genjutsu. Without a moment’s delay, Kakashi begins a counterattack.
E16
The Secret of Jinchuriki
23m May 31, 2007
Chiyo and Kakashi realize that the attack was just a diversion, and that the Akatsuki have already begun the process of extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara.
E17
Jun 7, 2007
Teams Kakashi and Guy take a short rest. Granny Chiyo watches Naruto dozing off and is reminded of Sasori as a child. The pursuit resumes, and when Chiyo wonders why Naruto puts such effort into...
E18
Charge Tactic! Button Hook Entry!!
23m Jun 21, 2007
Teams Kakashi and Guy reach the Akatsuki hideout. They hurry to infiltrate but are thwarted by a five-seal barrier. The only way to break the barrier is to remove all five seals at once.
E19
Traps Activate! Team Guy's Enemy
23m Jul 5, 2007
Breaking the five-seal barrier set off a trap, which now has Team Guy battling amazingly accurate copies of themselves. Back at the Akatsuki hideout, Deidara and Sasori struggle to take the Nine-Tail Jinchûriki.
E20
Hiruko Vs. Two Kunoichi!
23m Jul 19, 2007
At last, the showdown between the old woman and her grandson begins. Sakura is confused by Sasori’s strange appearance, and Granny Chiyo explains that this is Hiruko…
E21
Jul 26, 2007
Granny Chiyo and Sakura manage to expose Sasori, who amazingly looks no older than he did twenty years earlier.
E22
Aug 2, 2007
Sakura is caught by Sasori’s tactic and surrounded by a poison cloud.
E23
Aug 2, 2007
Chiyo and Sakura take cover, and Sasori wastes no time unleashing a ruthless attack.
E24
Aug 9, 2007
Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.
E25
Three Minutes Between Life and Death
23m Aug 16, 2007
Sakura destroys the Third Kazekage puppet thanks to a secret antidote she had taken.
E26
Puppet Fight: 10 vs. 100!
23m Aug 23, 2007
Sakura and Granny Chiyo are engaged in a fierce battle with Sasori, who is able turn himself into a human puppet. They somehow bring Sasori down within the time limit, but he ends up reviving.
E27
Aug 30, 2007
Although stung with poison herself, Granny Chiyo uses the last of the antidote on Sakura. Mocking the tender scene between Granny Chiyo and Sakura, Sasori attempts to end Granny Chiyo's life.
E28
Sep 13, 2007
Team Guy senses the result of the Sakura and Granny Chiyo’s desperate struggle while still in battle with his deadly copy. Although Guy’s team members are showing fatigue, their copies remain strong!
E29
Kakashi's Enlightened!
23m Sep 27, 2007
Sakura hurries to get to Naruto with Granny Chiyo, who is suffering from the poison. The members of Team Guy rush to assist Team Kakashi. Meanwhile, with all preparations complete, Kakashi reveals his Mangekyo Sharingan.
E30
Aesthetics of an Instant
23m Sep 27, 2007
Naruto loses all reason to anger and is gradually taken over by the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit. Having been forewarned by Jiraiya, Kakashi narrowly manages to suppress the Nine-Tailed Fox.
E31
Oct 18, 2007
Relying on Naruto's power, Granny Chiyo performs the Transmigration Jutsu on Gaara.
E32
Return of the Kazekage
23m Oct 25, 2007
Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.