With his training interrupted Naruto has a new goal. Find and recieve training from the frog hermit. After much work Naruto finally sits down to talk with the hermit about his training. Naruto uses his seduction skill to get the best of the perverted old hermit. Finally the hermit agrees to train him and they commence with his training. After the hermit releases the seal Orochimaru placed on Naruto, he can finally channel his energy. Now hi real training will begin.

The last sound ninja attempts to attack Gaara, but he is quickly destroyed by Gaara's power. New light is shed on the conspiracy to destroy the Konoha village, the Sand and Sound villages have united. Jiraiya continues his peeping and Naruto is forced to once again us his Seduction technique to get his training. Jiraiya begins to train Naruto in the summoning Jutsu. Unfortunately even with this new techinque Naruto can only summon a small tad-pole. Will he ever be able to master this new technique and summon frogs to battle?

During episode we watch Sakura deal with her concern and feelings for Sasuke. Sasuke is still feeling the effects of the curse mark left by Orochimaru. She visits Ino in the flower store to buy flowers for Sasuke. We follow our two, Ino and Sakura, as they visit the hospital to see their injured friends. Eeryone is fiercely training for their main matches, while the sand ninjas learn of their plans to destroy the Konoha. Sakura finds that Sasuke has escaped the hospital, and we find out he begins to train with Kakashi.

Naruto has been practicing for 3 weeks and still can not produce an effective frog. We now understand that Orochimaru is strong enough to even defeat the Hokage. Jiraiya explains to Naruto that he must risk his life in order to aquire the power to truly summon frogs. Naruto is knocked into a giant chasam and in order to survive he must draw out the power of Nine-tails. Will Naruto be able to save himself and find the power of Nine-tails?

With the huge toad finally summoned Naruto now must prove that he is capable and powerful enough to fight with the toad. The toad is not happy and works as hard as he can to shake Naruto off. Even Jaraiya can not control Bunda the toad master, but Naruto must prove that he is worthy of being friends with the toad master. While Naruto is trying to stay on the toad's back, we learn more of the planned betrayal of the Sand. Will Naruto be able to stay on, and will the Sand truly destroy the Leaf?

Naruto is in the hospital recovering from his battle with the toad master. We discover that Gaara is running around in the hospital and apparently has it out to destroy Lee. Sakura is also in the hospital delivering a flower to Lee. Luckily for Lee Naruto and Shikamaru manage to run into Gaara and prevent him from killing Lee. We learn about Gaara's shattered history, and the story behind Gaara mysterious abilities. Before leaving Gaara makes a brutal threat that he will soon kill them all.

Naruto is very solemn and has a hard time sleeping the official selection is tomorrow. We have a minor break in the action before the big battle. We see everyone preparing for the rough day ahead. The next morning Naruto is running late to the selection and Konohamura offers a shortcut. Unfortunately for our hero this short cut goes wrong and he must hurry, run, and be chased all the way to the final selection.

The battle between Naruto and Neji finally begins. Sasuke is still no where to be found. Neji believes that he will win because Naruto is destined to fail. Naruto does not believe in such a destiny and believes in himself and that he can win if he continues to work hard. Both display their new techinques and attacks, which one of these strong ninjas will win, and will they both survive?

The battle between Naruto and Neji rages on. With Neji's new defense it seems impossible for Naruto to attack. We learn more about the history of Neji's family and why he believes the things he does. With inspiration from Hinata and Lee Naruto fights with new power, but will he truly be able to defeat Neji's amazing defense and new powerful attacks?

After hearing Neji's story Naruto is more determined to prove to Neji his way of the ninja. Naruto understands Neji more than he knows, and it is because of that understanding he chooses to fight to show Neji his way of the ninja. He finally draws out the power of nine-tails and show Neji his true power. After a fierce attack from both of them Naruto manages to get the best of Neji and knocks him out.

Naruto responds to the cheers of the audience and Neji is carried off. Neji's uncle visits Neji is the recovery room and explains to him the exact details of his father's death and what it meant to the Hyuga family. After hearing the real history of his father's death Neji resolves to train harder and fly free. The next battle is Sasuke vs. Gaara, but unfortunately Sasuke is still no where to be found, so Shikamaru's match will begin ahead of schedule.

Though Shikamaru is a very apathetic he is quite intelligent. He does not have the great power of some of his other fellow ninjas, but he intelligence makes up for it. He is excellent in developing strategies for battle. Though his opponent is quite strong and he lacks enthusiam he develops a winning strategy and defeats Temari, but because he hates troublesome matters he surrenders the match.

The late Sasuke finally arrives in the arena to begin his battle with Gaara. Both Kakashi and Sasuke make a dramatic entrance. Gai and Lee arrive at the arena and are shocked to find out that Naruto has defeated Neji. Gaara is excited for the match, and before hand kills two people who ask him to throw the match for money. Finally the battle between the Leaf and the Sand will begin.

Sasuke shows that his training made him much stronger and faster. He has begun to fight just like Lee did when Lee was fighting Gaara. We discover that Kabuto is hiding as a dark troops. Sasuke's attacks break through Gaara's Sand Armor. Gaara seals himself inside a ball of sand and starts to chant. Will Sasuke be able to break through this new defense and defeat Gaara?

Sasuke continues to battle Gaara, while we discover that both Sand and Sound ninjas have begun to surround the Konoha village. Sasuke shows his new power, he has learned the 1,000 birds technique from Kakashi. With its power and speed it strikes through Gaara's defense and injures him. The attack on the city begins, and Sasuke's battle comes to a halt.

The attack begins, and the target all of the Konoha and the 3rd Hokage. The Sand Hokage reveals himself to be none other than Orochimaru. With all the other ninjas busy fighting off the oncoming army the 3rd Hokage is left to fight alone. 4 of the sound ninjas surround Orochimaru & the 3rd Hokage with an impenetrable barrier. Finally Kakashi sends Naruto on a mission to chase after Sasuke, who is currently chasing after Gaara.

Kakashi summons a dog name Pakkun to track Sasuke and help Sakura, Shikamaru, and Naruto find Sasuke. Shino hears about the mission as well. The Hokage is trapped and must battle Orochimaru by himself. Many of the town are getting the women and children to safety and preparing for their counter-attack. Will the Hokage be able to defeat Orochimaru and his undead warriors? Will the Konoha be able to defend their town successfully?

We follow our group of four sent after Sasuke, and they quickly find out that they are being followed by a large number of ninja. Shikamaru offers to slow down the enemy and allows Sakura and Naruto to continue on the mission. He uses his Shadow Imitation techinique to stop them, but does not have enough power to kill them. Luckily his teacher, Asuma is there to defeat the remaining ninja. The Hokage's battle rages on against now his two former teachers and his former pupil.

The amazing battle between the Hokages begins. Each Hokage demonstrating amazing and unreal skills and attacks. The second Hokage using amazing water skills and the first using amazing wood skills. Just as it seems as the third has been defeated he summons a monkey to help him battle as a staff and for protection. The Hokage fights hard and finally Sasuke catches up to the three sand ninjas.

Sasuke is finally ready to battle with the Sound ninjas and Naruto and Sakura are quickly on their way to catch up. The Hokage now understands that Orochimaru is using a forbidden technique to switch bodies. His battle must continue on against the 3 ninjas. Though reluctant to kill his former student he now understands it is the only way. He uses the forbidden techinque the Dead Demon Seal, will this be enough to finally destroy Orochimaru?

The 3rd Hokage manages to seal the 1st and the 2nd away. Now he must seal Orochimaru, but that is no easy task. Sasuke has finally caught up with the 2nd Sand ninja in his chase to catch Gaara. Shino shows up to battle and allow Sasuke to catch up to Gaara. Naurto and Sakura are still rushing to catch up. Will they make it to Sasuke in time to help him fight Gaara, and will Shino be able to defeat Kankarou?

Shino is fighting Kankarou, and Sasuke finally catches up with Gaara. As Sasuke confronts Gaara, Gaara begins to transform into the demon that lives inside him. Gaara half transformed attacks Sasuke with tremendous power. After being attacked by a poison bomb, Shino manages to defeat Kankarou with his bugs, but he is unable to continue on to support Sasuke.

Sasuke continues to fight against the powerful demon form of Gaara. We learn more about the tradegic past of Gaara and the demon inside of him. The Hokage still is struggling to seal Orochimaru's soul within him. Sasuke strikes a mightly blow with his Chitori strike, but it is not enough to destroy Gaara. Just when the end seems inevitable for Sasuke, Naruto enters and protects him.

Sasuke can no longer move because he used his thousand birds techniques 3 times. It is up to Naruto and Sakura to attempt to defeat Gaara. We learn more about Gaara's shattered past and why he is the way he is today. Gaara pins Sakura against a wall and Sasuke can not move, will Naruto be able to defeat this monster and save his partners?

We learn even more about the terrible tradegy of Gaara's childhood. Gaara is nearing his complete form and the 3rd Hokage is still struglling with Orochimaru. Naruto relates his own childhood to the terrible past of Gaara, and struggles to attack the new transformation of Gaara. With one last final resolution Naruto pledges to defeat Gaara even at the cost of his own life. Will this power be enough?

Naruto attacks with thousands of his shadow clones and hits Gaara with full power. Just as victory seems in Naruto's hand Gaara fully transforms into his demon form. It is now an epic battle between monsters, Naruto's summoned toad king and Gaara huge demon form. With a little help from the toad king's son Naruto is able to convince him to do battle with Mamozuru of the Sand (Gaara's true demon form). Naruto and the Toad King transform into the Nine Tales Fox. Will they be able to finally supress this demon inside Gaara?