Naruto Shippuden Season 12
Naruto & Killer Bee
The eleventh season of Naruto Shippuden (Part II of the manga by Kishimoto Masashi) began airing from Jan. 5, 2012 to present. Since Jan. 2, 2009 Viz Media and Crunchyroll have been subtitling Naruto: Shippuden. The allies prepare for the Fourth Shinobi World War against Akatsuki led by masked man Tobi. Naruto finally reaches Kumogakure and will be schooled on how to draw on kyuubi’s (Kurama’s) powers.
The season’s opening and ending themes:
1. tacica’s “newsong” (ep. 243-256)
2. Hemenway’s “By My Side” (ep. 243-present)
3. The Cro-Magnons’ “Totsugeki Rock” (突撃ロックAssault Rock) (ep. 257-present)
4. UnLimits’ “Cascade” (カスケード Kasukēdo) (ep. 257-present)
• SEASON 1 (Feb. 2007 – Oct. 2007)
• SEASON 2 (Nov. 2007 – April 2008)
• SEASON 3 (April. 2008 – Aug. 2008)
• SEASON 4 (Aug. 2008 – Dec. 2008)
• SEASON 5 (Dec. 2008 – June 2009)
• SEASON 6 (June 2009 – Dec. 2009)
• SEASON 7 (Jan. 2010 – March 2010)
• SEASON 8 (March 2010 – August 2010)
• SEASON 9 (September 2010 – January 2011)
• SEASON 10 (February 2011 – July 2011)
• SEASON 11 (July 2011 – December 2011)
CURRENT EPISODES
JANUARY • FEBRUARY • MARCH • APRIL • MAY • JUNE • JULY • AUGUST
Jan. 5, 2012 | ep. 243: Land Ahoy! Is this the Paradise Island? (Jōriku! Rakuen no Shima? 上陸! 楽園の島?)
As Naruto and his senseis near Kumogakure, they are attacked by a giant squid, which Naruto incorrectly identifies (excitedly) as THE Tako (Octopus), as predicted by the Great Toad Sage. The mist clears and the Leaf ninjas see a foreboding island before them, complete with dead carcasses as decoration. The real octopus comes to their rescue and lead them to land. The seafarers are welcomed to the island by Motoi.
(The Raikage has “hidden” Naruto in a “safe” place, to deter Naruto from joining the war when it hits their door step. Even Tsunade is not privy to this location)
Motoi gives the new residence a quick 101 on the island and Bee-san. The island is inhabited by giant animals, all who have been tamed by Killer Bee. If they did not know, Killer Bee has also mastered control of his tailed beast (much to the delight of Naruto). And this island is where Killer Bee first learned to control his bijuu. That night, the excited Naruto rushes over to ask Killer Bee to train him.
“No way!” came the immediate answer. As far as he is concerned, he is only there because of the Raikage’s orders, which is fulfilled with his presence on the island. He is on vacation. Seeing Bee’s affinity towards enka, Naruto tries his hand at it. Even though he stumbles, Bee quickly acknowledges him, by fist bumping him. With that bit of encouragement, Naruto continues, but ends up dissing Bee instead. The door is slammed on his face, after Naruto tries to save the day by using his sexy jutsu.
Desperate, Naruto seeks out Motoi and complains about Bee. This time, Naruto manages to anger another. However, the more understanding Motoi softens his stance when he sees and hears Naruto’s determination. So, together with Yamato, the trio head to Bee’s training ground at the Waterfall of Truth.
Naruto vs. Dark Naruto
As Naruto meditates in front of the Fall and his true self, Dark Naruto, appears. The falls becomes a mirror of one’s true self or innermost desires. Dark Naruto spews Naruto’s darkest thoughts: “Everyone in his village hated him since young. Oh, but how they have changed their tunes after he saved the village!”
This is his hatred. The true self. The self that kyuubi likes. In fact, Naruto is deemed the impostor.
A fight quickly ensues between them with no winners. Naruto has to face himself in order to move forward. He must defeat Dark Naruto to gain the strength of kyuubi. Overcoming Dark Naruto is his first step towards that.
Elsewhere in the island, Killer Bee reasserts his “top dog” position with the animals. Hachi then questions Bee’s reluctance in training Naruto. The boy does remind him of Bee.
Jan. 12, 2012 | ep. 244: Killer Bee and Motoi (Kirābī to Motoi キラービーとモトイ)
In order to defeat Dark Naruto, Naruto asks about Bee (to get clues about Bee’s life, which may aid him. Although, Naruto isn’t the brightest of the bunch for this kind of a intricate character analyzation). Even though he was chosen as the container of hachibi from a very young age, he was and still remains to be a happy chap. He never succumbed to the ridicule, constant jeering and ostracization of his own people, even though he was doing it FOR them.
To prevent disloyalty, the kage’s family was chosen as the vessels. Today, Bee is very much-loved, compared to what he endured as a child. But, Motoi and Bee, who were once good friends (and Bee’s only friend) is no longer on talking terms.
Thirty years ago, hachibi went on a rampage. While Kumogakure’s best and the Third Kage tried to suppress him, Motoi’s father was killed. Motoi was only 5 and transferred that loneliness and anger towards the next chosen vessel: Bee. His hatred of hachibi grew so much until one day, he picked up a kunai and tried to kill Bee (who he transferred his abhorrence to). He tried, but failed miserably. Bee still wanted to be his friend, but Motoi ran away in shame when he realize the situation Bee was put into, upon seeing the villagers shunning and ridiculing young Bee. Through it all, Bee remained jovial and light-hearted. It was then, that Motoi realized that he couldn’t kill him. Bee’s suffering was worse than his own.
Not so sneaky attack
Hearing this, Dark Naruto sneers at Naruto, “How convenient. The villagers are the same everywhere. How quickly they turn from the past and act like the past never happened.” Naruto, even though angered, quietly reflects on his own life. Bee and Gaara, even though hated, pushed on for their village. Does he truly have everyone’s trust, like Bee and Gaara? But they earned it. Has he?
Suddenly a large squid, from earlier, attacks and takes hold of Motoi. Yamato and Naruto tries to help, but Bee comes to Motoi’s rescue instead. Bee never did put the incident from years ago in his heart. He only remembers the good times. Motoi, as far as he is concern, is still his good friend.
Sealed with a bump
Jan. 19, 2012 | ep. 245: Naruto vs. The Nine-Tails!! (Naruto VS Kyūbi!! ナルトVS九尾!!)
After the close encounter, Killer Bee thanks Naruto for attempting to save Motoi from the giant squid. He acknowledges Naruto with a fist bump, there by giving his approval and taking Naruto under his wing.
“Go to the Waterfall of Truth. You will certainly pass this time!” Bee announces confidently.
Naruto proceeds to the waterfall and begins to meditate. Dark Naruto appears and smugly says, “You can’t beat me!”
Naruto doesn’t disagree. In fact, he knows it as the truth. They are, afterall, the same. But he had long decided on something, to be the Hokage. And he has even created his signature as such – to give out the autograph to the villagers who adore him.
“The villagers are hypocrites! Liars! They cannot be trusted!” screamed Dark Naruto.
That is true. But he choose to put his trust on himself first. And that trust is telling him that he can trust the sincerity of the villagers too. He saw the same pride in Killer Bee when he put his people.
“What do I do now,” a frustrated Dark Naruto screams. He then charges at Naruto, intending to assault him. However, Naruto opens his arms, and embraces his dark self.
“Be one with me,” Naruto says calmly. “We don’t have to fight each other anymore.” At peace, Dark Naruto dissipates. He has overcome his dark self. But it is not time to celebrate – yet. Now he has to learn how to control kyuubi’s power.
Yamato enters the falls with Naruto and Killer Bee while Motoi returns to his duties. They enter a hidden cave, a ruins of sorts with headless statues guarding the outer sanctum. The statues were carved without heads for a reason. The site is a sacred place for jinchuuriki to talk to their bijuu.
Naruto is told to stick his head into the mouth of the beast. There can be no darkness in his heart, in order to pass. If there is even a little bit of darkness in him, his head will be bitten off. The horrified Yamato immediately tells Naruto to use his clone. But no lies can be pulled on these statues. The statues senses true sincerity.
Naruto proceeds to feed his head into the mouth of the beast. Soon, he screams. Yamato reacts quickly as Naruto withdraws from the mouth. He has lost his head! Yamato is in shock!
But Naruto was just playing, just as Bee once did too. There was a switch inside the mouth, to be opened. Yamato, furious, scolds both the jinchuurikis. “Baka yero, Kono yaro!” throwing Bee’s words back to him.
Soon, the trio enter a dimension-less place. Bee walks Naruto through on how to unseal his Tetagram Seal with his key. He warns Naruto that if he looses control of kyuubi, the site that they are in will seal kyuubi and a new host will be chosen immediately.
So the unsealing begins, with the help of Bee. Naruto meets the glaring kyuubi subconsciously and pulls of the first seal at the door. Then, he unlocks the gate with his key that Jiraiya kept for him. With kyuubi free, Naruto is supposed to touch/grab kyuubi’s chakra and meld with his. But kyuubi is too strong for both Naruto and the aiding hachibi, as he realizes Naruto’s intention of taking his chakra. He transits to the Sage Mode and tries to attack kyuubi with his Super Rasengan. But Naruto quickly gets sucked into kyuubi’s hatred.
Naruto vs. Kyuubi
Jan. 26, 2012 | ep. 246: The Orange Sparkle (Orenji-iro no Kagayaki オレンジ色の輝)
Naruto’s no match against kyuubi, but manages to grab the nine tails by his tail and gives him a nice heaping dose of Rasenshuriken. Kyuubi falls and Naruto takes the opportunity to pull his chakra out. Unfortunately for Naruto, kyuubi’s hatred and yen for revenge proves too much for him. Unable to control kyuubi, Naruto slowly loses control of himself and gets drawn in. He tries to control himself, and suddenly a gentle female voice calls out to him. She appears before him, with her crimson hair.
“Naruto,” she calls out.
“Who are you?” Naruto questions suspiciously. “Kyuubi’s real form?” he quips.
The lady slaps him.
“Minato didn’t say anything?” bemused.
Before she even continues, the revelation hits him (as she speaks using made up words like him, “Dattebayo!” Her flustered verbal tic is “Dattebane!”).
Naruto greets Ka-chan
“Ka-chan,” Naruto calls his mother, a word that is so foreign but dear to him.
Minato had sealed Kushina’s chakra in their beloved son. She teaches him to control kyuubi, but he is only half listening, as he enjoys the moment with his mother and takes in her beauty and wondrous red hair.
“I want your red hair,” he blurts out in awe.
She giggles. He’s the second boy to ever say that he likes her red hair. Young Minato was the first.
Curious, Naruto asks about his parent’s love.
Uzumaki Kushina, of the famed Uzumaki clan, was a transfer student from Uzushiogakure to Konohagakure. On the first day of class, she pledged herself to be the first female Hokage of Konohagakure (just as Minato too proclaimed himself to the next Hokage). In their disgust, her classmates called her Tomato: for her round face and fiery red hair. This irritated her and prompted her to beat up those who teased her. This episode earned her a new nickname: the Red Hot-Blooded Habanero (赤い血潮のハバネロ, Akai Chishio no Habanero).
- Naruto: Note to self, mom IS scary -
No one wanted to be a part of Kushina’s team. What’s more, the older brother of one of her classmates decides to teach her a lesson. The brothers ambush her in the forest, and teases her mercilessly of her red hair. She manages to overcome him and runs away. Little did she know then, Minato was watching over her, waiting to rescue her, if need be.
One day, poor Kushina was kidnapped by the ninjas of the Kumogakure, Hidden Cloud Village, who want her for her special chakra to gain control of kyuubi. Hoping that someone will find her, she leaves a trail of her red hair behind. Fortunately for her, Minato (her guardian angel) picks up on that trail and saves her. He fell in love with her hair and tracked her down. He was always watching over her. He saw how strong she was in fending off her attackers, but this time, he knew she needed help. Her hair was their “red thread of fate” (運命の赤い糸, unmei no akai ito) that brought them together.
Seeing Naruto, Kushina wells up with love and tells him, “I have words for two men who love my hair: I love you.”
The elated Naruto can only smile and reply, since mom is the Red Habanero and dad is the “Yellow Flash,” Naruto is the Orange Spark (Hokage).
Naruto-Kurama combi
Feb. 2, 2012 | ep. 247: The Nine-Tails is Targeted (Nerawareta Kyūbi 狙われた九尾)
With the aid of mommy dearest, Naruto pulse out kyuubi’s chakra and merges it with his, creating a new burst of flame and power. This, of course, angers kyuubi. Before she takes leave to finally join Minato, she tells Naruto of his origins.
She was brought to Konohagakure to be the next vessel of kyuubi following Uzumaki Mito’s impending death. Mito was the wife of Hashirama Senju (the First Hokage) and the first jinchuuriki of kyuubi. Thanks to her special chakra, she led a long and fruitful life. Her clansmen, who specialize in sealing jutsu, and Hashirama were distant relatives. Their land, unfortunately, was destroyed during the war to end their fearful power. To commemorate both Konoha and Uzushio’s ties, the symbol behind all of Konohagakure’s ninjas today is that of Uzushiogakure, the Land of Eddy.
Kushina’s reason for “transfer” to Konoha was only known by the Third Hokage. In her fear of being the new vessel, Mito managed to calm Kushina by telling her that she can find happiness as the new vessel by first filling herself with love. Love that she would eventually find in Minato.
Yellow Flash & the Red Pepper aka mom and dad
As time went by, Kushina married Minato and eventually conceived Naruto, who became Jiraiya’s godson. But the elders began to fret as the due date drew near. The only time that the seal can be broken (and kyuubi stolen) is when Kushina’s body is at its weakest: during childbirth. Arrangements were made with the ANBU (Biwako and Taji) and Minato to protect Kushina during this crucial time.
While on the way to the secret birth site, Kushina meets with her best friend Uchiha Mikoto and newly born son, Sasuke whereby she wished for friendship between their children in the future.
Upon reaching the hideout, Kushina goes into labor as kyuubi’s seal begins to break.
Feb. 9, 2012 | ep. 248 & 249: The Fourth Hokage’s Death Match!! (Yondaime no Shitō!! 四代目の死闘!!) & Thank You (Arigatō ありがとう)
The celebration of Naruto’s birth is cut short as Tobi infiltrates the hideout, taking out the ANBU: Taji and Biwako and kidnaps Naruto. Tobi’s attempt to kill the infant Naruto is foiled by the father who saves him and places him far away from harm’s way. But Tobi’s move is two-fold. The move was not for the baby. It was to separate husband and wife, so that he will be alone with Kushina and her weakened seal over kyuubi. Kushina is kidnapped, and hidden (at least for a while) away from Minato to force the extraction of kyuubi. Even though weakened from childbirth and with kyuubi extracted from her, she does not die – testament to the powers and strength of the Uzumaki’s chakra. Tobi takes control of kyuubi with his Sharingan and turns the nine tails on Kushina to finish her off. Fortunately, Minato arrives in time, and teleports her back to her son. Leaving wife and baby, Minato realizes he not only has to stop Tobi, but kyuubi too as he rushes off to save his village.
The last time
Back in Konohagakure, the villagers enjoy their quiet, peaceful night, until Tobi arrives and summons kyuubi, who goes on a rampage that destroys everything in sight. As the ninjas and the Third Hokage prepare themselves, Minato arrives. Kyuubi sees Minato and immediately attacks him with a huge ball of chakra: the Tailed Beast Ball, the ultimate technique of a bijou (尾獣玉 Bijūdama), which is bound to destroy the village in one blow. Minato, however, teleports the ball of destruction away from the village. But before he can reach the Third Hokage, Tobi almost captures him in his teleportation. The saving grace is the Yellow Flash is no weakling and a namesake either. Tobi finds Minato, as the Fourth Hokage tries to figure out who this masked man is. His actions point to it being Uchiha Madara, but that cannot be so, as that man has long passed. In any case, he is no easy opponent. His attacks against Tobi do not work, but he cleverly outmaneuvers him. Using his Rasengan and Level 2 Flying Raijin, Minato injures Tobi and removes the controlling seal Tobi has over kyuubi.
Minato: 1 Tobi: 0
Before Tobi leaves, he warns Minato, that even though he seemingly “lost” their match, there will be other ways for him to return, to rule the world.
Monkey King Enma
The unsealed kyuubi goes berserk and worsens his destruction. As the ANBU buys him time, the Third Hokage summons the Monkey King Enma and pushes kyuubi out of the village walls. The younger ninjas (Kakashi’s batch) are told to stay away from kyuubi as they will have to pass on the Will of Fire to the next generation.
Minato returns to the village with the aid of Gamabunta, and restrains him long enough to teleport the Nine Tails away from the village. Having no other way to stop kyuubi, Minato is forced to teleport his family to the location of kyuubi too. Kushina, with her diminishing bit of chakra, restrains kyuubi and tries to seal him back in her, so that on her passing in her weakened state, he too will perish. This will save not only Naruto, but Minato too, and she quickly thanks Minato for all that happiness he has shared with her.
But Minato is not in agreement. He cannot let the mother of his son die, even though her life will be short, Naruto cannot live without his mother. Neither can he let kyuubi be destroyed. Tobi is the harbinger of death, and he truly believes, from Jiraiya’s talk with him, his son will be Tobi’s fateful counter. In order for that prophecy to become true, he will seal half of kyuubi with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Reaper Death Seal 封印術・屍鬼封尽, Fūinjutsu: Shiki Fūjin) and the other half in Naruto with the Eight Trigrams Seal (八卦の封印式 Hakke no Fūin Shiki). Kushina wants to object, because the seal will be the death of Minato, but she can’t argue with saving her home, even though her son will have the onus of the Nine Tails forever.
The Reaper himself arrives
The Third Hokage reaches the clearing in time and tries to stop Minato from unleashing the deadly seal, but he is stopped by a barrier that Minato erected earlier. With half of kyuubi’s chakra sealed in the slowly dying Minato, Naruto is then placed in a make-shift altar to prepare for the other part of the ritual. Minato leaves but a second to retrieve Kushina back to the altar, but kyuubi, seeing this opening and refusing to be sealed in a baby, attacks Naruto with a deadly intention. Fortunately, and unfortunately, for Naruto, both parents come to his rescue in a fatal outcome as kyuubi’s nail pierces both parents.
With his dying breath, Minato summons Gerotora to create a key to strengthen or remove the seal (in time) and sends the scroll toad off to his master, Jiraiya, for safe keeping. As his time runs out, he seals kyuubi in Naruto and leaves some of his chakra in Naruto. Kushina’s chakra too is sealed in Naruto, to help him tame kyuubi later in life. With that, they say their parting words (mainly Kushina), who tells Naruto to always bathe, sleep well, eat well and to make a few good and lasting friends. She continues to say to find someone to love like his mom (Sakura with her pink hair). Although he will be faced with pain and hardship, he has to be true to himself. Her final advice, “I love you.”
Kushina’s family name was given to Naruto by the Third Hokage, in hopes that no one will discover the link between Naruto and the Fourth Hokage.
A mom’s pride in her son
Back in the present, Kushina apologizes for their decision to make Naruto the vessel of kyuubi. But Naruto doesn’t blame his parents. He knows now only the extent of the love of his parents for him, and they gave everything to give him his life. Knowing that Naruto has heard their dreams and wishes, Kushina slowly vanishes while embracing Naruto.
Her final words to him, “Thank you for being born to us. Thank you.”
What will never be…
Feb. 16, 2012 | ep. 250: Battle in Paradise! Odd Beast vs. The Monster! (Chinjū VS Kaijin! Rakuen no Tatakai! 珍獣VS怪人! 楽園の戦い!)
Naruto awakens from his trance with Kushina and vows to push himself even more to become the next Hokage. In his newly discovered state, he senses a negative auto from Killer Bee’s Samehada. The once thought eliminated Hoshigaki Kisame reappears from the inner sanctum of the sword. He has been gathering intel all this time on the remaining bijuus. Kisame immediately extracts and absorbs Killer Bee’s chakra through Samehada.
Waiting on the other side of the island, is Motoi, Aoba and Guy (who is interested in sparring with his inner-self at the Falls of Truth). When Kisame splashes out from the waterfall, in an attempt to escape to island to pass intel to Madara, Guy gives chase and a battle ensues.
Kisame realizes he has meet this sparring partner years before, but Guy seems to be oblivious of this fact. However, knowing this was an enemy he has to quash quickly, Guy summons Ningame (the ninja turtle) to aid him mid-flight into the ocean miles away from land. Seeing Kisame trying to send intel for Akatsuki through his sharks, Guy opens his sixth gate: the Morning Peacock. Unable to stop the rapidly increasing sharks, Guy is forced to open the seventh gate: Gate of Wonder – Daytime Tiger, a supposed one-hit kill technique against Kisame’s Great Shark Bullet Technique. The Daytime Tiger cuts throughout the Shark attack and erupts into a massive shock wave felt by even by inhabitants of the island. Kisame is down.
Feb. 23, 2012 | ep. 251: The Man Named Kisame (Kisame to Iu Otoko 鬼鮫という男)
Surprisingly, Kisame is still able to move. He is down but not dead. Guy brings him back to his comrades as Yamato restrains him for Aoba to extract info from him. He was once a shinobi with team mates to protect. However, this one mission change things. He was told to protect the code in a scroll at all cost, including sacrificing his mates. Returning from his mission, he meets up with the Fourth Mizukage, only to be greeted by a masked man with the Sharingan. As Aoba is about to learn of Tobi’s true identity, Kisame stops the probe by bitting off his own tongue. Awakened from the trance, he breaks free from his restrains and traps himself in his Water Prison Technique.
With his dying breath, he recalls Itachi’s final few words to him about learning about oneself when one is knocking at the door of death. A comrade that raises a hand on another comrade will die a terrible death. Too weak to fight, Kisame summons his ravenous sharks to feed them. At the end, he was willing to give his life to protect the cause he believed in.
Suicidal Path
Impressed by his final act of “loyalty,” Guy promises to finally remember this worthy adversary. The allies try to read the scroll Kisame protected, but realize too late that it is only a trap; leaving them in a Water Prison with a shark. Meanwhile, another shark takes that same scroll and swims away with the intel, finding its way to Zetsu.
March 1, 2012 | ep. 252: The Angel of Death (Shi e Izanau Tenshi 死へいざなう天使)
Elsewhere, Tobi finds his way to the Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village) to retrieve Nagato’s Rinnegan but is immediately stopped by Konan. Refusing to impart the location of Nagato’s corpse, she instead tells him that she has been preparing for his arrival to finally put a stop to him. Tobi merely brushes off her fantasy and instead questions her and Nagato’s betrayal.
To that she simply replies, “Naruto is the light that gives hope to all.” He believed in Jiraiya’s idea of peace. Nagato was Jiraiya’s hope. And Nagato, in turn, placed that hope in Naruto. Akatsuki was formed by Nagato, just as rinnegan was his. There was never a betrayal, only a change of ideals.
The Paper Princess vs. the Masked One-that-shall-not-be-named
Their battle quickly ensues, with Konan attacking Tobi with her Paper Shuriken, but it merely passes through his body. She then envelops him with her paper while mixing it with explosive tags, planning to kamikaze her way through. However, he saves them both by warping away most of the explosives – at the cost of his right arm and a broken mask. He jeers at her failed attempt, to which she responds by dividing the lake they stand on, revealing an abyss of paper (with explosive tags attached) that Tobi falls into.
March 8, 2012 | ep. 253: The Bridge to Peace (Heiwa e no Kakehashi 平和への懸け橋)
She immediately detonates the 6 hundred billion explosives she has been preparing the last 10 minutes (much longer than the 5 minutes Tobi can remain intangible for). He, however, survives it using Izanagi (at the cost of his left eye) and promptly impales Konan with a rod. Konan frees herself to prepare for the next attack, but as she does, the endless rain of Amegakure stops; surprising both her and Tobi.
At this point, she problems Naruto to be the “support holding the bridge that will lead them to peace.” As the darkness, Tobi crushes the light by ending Konan’s life, but not before placing her under his genjutsu to reveal Nagato’s location. As she dies with the end of the illusion, Tobi enters a crypt where Nagato and Yahiko lies, and retrieves the Rinnegan he profess to have “given” to Nagato. He then returns to the Akatsuki hideout and learns of Naruto’s location through Kisame’s final intel.
Konan’s body drifts in the water as one of her blood-soaked paper flies off to the friends’ old hideout. The paper billows off and finally rests on her “Hop-In” card, signifying their promise that the three friends made to return one day before leaving.
March 15, 2012 | ep. 254: The Super Secret S-Rank Mission (Doesu-kyū Gokuhi NinmuドS級極秘任務)
The enemy knows of their location. It is time to move both the bijuus: Killer Bee and Naruto. They immediately relocate, without ever leaving the island as the island is a mobile stronghold on a giant turtle.
In the meantime, Tsunade sends Naruto a fake S-Rank mission, calling for Naruto to amass the animals for the impending war. The teachers worry that Naruto may see through this ridiculous mission, but Naruto falls for it hook, line and sinker.
In the meantime at the enemy hideout, Tobi, Kabuto and Zetsu enter a cavern of sorts where the Gedo Statue rests and holds the clone of Senju Hashirama’s body: alive but unconscious. Underneath the pool lies an army of 100,000 Zetsu ready for deployment against the 80,000 allied forces. Kabuto asks for Tobi’s trust, and Zetsu’s body. Tobi counters with only the white Zetsu in return for Naruto. Kabuto sets out with resurrected Deidara.
In Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village), the Five Kages decide on a course of action with Naruto’s location leaked. Onoki, the Tsuchikage, (volunteers to head out to the island to protect it as it relocates. The Tsuchikage, together with Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi, ambushes the approaching Kabuto and Deidara. The zombies grandson greets his cantankerous grandfather by immediately trapping him in a clay explosion.
March 22, 2012 | ep. 255: The Artist Returns (Geijutsuka Futatabi 芸術家再び)
The bijuus’ location is found as a giant snake, summoned by Kabuto, stops their mobile island. Kabuto and Deidara head towards the island, intend on retrieving Naruto and Killer Bee, but the Tsuchikage stops them. Deidara counters by creating an explosion that flips the turtle on its back, thus immobilizing it. At this point, the enemy splits as Kabuto goes into the island in search of Naruto and Killer Bee while Deidara holds off his gramps.
The Tsuchikage tries to take Deidara down with his Particle Style, but Akatsuchi stops him as it will not only kill Deidara, but all on the island. Seeing the opening, Deidara throws an explosive towards the Tsuchikage, only to be stopped by Akatsuchi’s protective golem.
Kabuto’s snake, Manda, puts a choke hold on the turtle as Kabuto figures out how to enter the island. Realizing they are under attack, Yamato, Aoba and Motoi head out to check on the situation. Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi sees Kabuto and attacks him, successfully trapping him in her cement. As Aoba approaches to get intel from Kabuto, the snake molts and catches Yamato instead. That was his true intentions as he escaped with Hashirama’s clone.
Tsuchikage counters again, this time soaring above the sky to use his Particle Style away from the island, but Kabuto reaches Deidara and takes off with him. He returns to the lair with the wood user, Yamato, to strengthen Zetsu and to remove Naruto’s guard and potential sealer.
March 29, 2012 | ep. 256: Assemble! Allied Shinobi Forces! (Shūketsu! Shinobi Rengōgun! 集結! 忍連合軍!)
After the enemy leaves with what they came for, the Tsuchikage then flies the giant turtle back to Konohagakure (Leaf Village). Inside the island, Naruto knows something’s amiss, and insists that he will return to his village. Killer Bee stops him, reasoning that he has yet to control kyuubi’s chakra.
The Mizukage, Terumi Mei, welcomes Tsuchikage back to Konohagakure only to be told of Yamato’s capture. The villages have prepped and gathered for the war. Even the headbands have been created: reading 忍 – ninja. The ninjas are then divided into 9 division, to better pool together ninjas with similar abilities. While the Great Battle Regiment is divided into 5 teams, each lead by a commander, with Gaara, the Kazekage, as the Regimental Commander (連隊長, Rentaichō) and A, the Raikage, as the Supreme Leader of the forces.
The Great Battle Regiment consists of:
1. First Division (第一部隊, Daiichi Butai): Mid-Range Battle Division led by Darui of Kumogakure (Cloud Village)
• Akimichi Chouza (Chouji’s dad), Hyuga Hiashi, Samui and Tenten
First Division: Mid-Range
2. Second Division (第二部隊, Daini Butai): Short-Range Battle Division led by Kitsuchi (son of Onoki, Tsuchikage) of Iwagakure (Rock Village)
• Hyuga Neji and Hinata, Karui, Kutotsuchi
Second Division: Short Range
3. Third Division (第三部隊, Daisan Butai): Short-to-Mid-Range Battle Division led by Hatake Kakashi of Konohagakure
• Mighty Guy, Haruno Sakura, Rock Lee, Maki (Nara Ensui, Tajiki, Yamanaka Santa – manga)
Third Division: Short-to-Mid Range
4. Fourth Division (第四部隊, Daiyon Butai): Long-Range Battle Division led by Gaara, Kazekage, of Sunagakure, who is also the Commander
Proxy Commander is Nara Shikamaru of Konohagakure (even as Gaara’s proxy, he is effectively in command)
• Akimichi Chouji and Temari (Dodai – manga)
Fourth Division: Long Range
5. Fifth Division: Special Battle Division led by Mifune of Tetsu no Kuni (Land of Iron)
• Aburame Shino, Akamaru, Inuzuka Kiba, Inuzuka Hana, Yamanaka Ino, and the 3 Haimaru Brothers
Fifth Division: Special Battle
The supporting divisions consists of:
1. The Surprise Attack Division (奇襲部隊, Kishū Butai)/ambush team led by Kankuro of Sunagakure (Sand Village)
• Hyuga Hoheto, Ittan, Kiri, Omoi, Sai, Zaji (Tango – manga)
Team Ambush
2. The Logistical Support and Medical Division (後方支援医療部隊, Kōhōshien Iryō Butai) led by Shizune of Konohagakure (Leaf Village)
• Tonton the pig (Hino, Takemaru, Toyosa – manga)
Team Medics
3. The Intelligence Division led by Yamanaka Inoichi of Konohagakure (father of Ino)
• Tenga and Yamashiro Aoba
Team Intel
4. The Sensor Division led by Ao of Kirigakure (Mist Village)
• Cee
Team Sensor
Sasuke makes a cameo appearance, as Zetsu tells him his blindfold is not ready to be removed yet. Outside of the lair at the Mountain’s Graveyard, Anko senses something awry underground. Hyuga Tokuma immediately uses his byakugan and discovers the alarming number of Zetsu army deeply concealed.
As Kabuto returns, he warns Madara that Yamato cannot be extracted for info as that will kill him. In the meantime, he has Yamato restrained with his poison, thus stopping him from using his wood jutsu. With that, it is time for war! Kabuto summons Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei 口寄せ・穢土転生 and reawakens former members of Akatsuki, Former Kages, the six jinchurikis and other “famous shinobis”. What’s more, Yamato is secured below the clone of Hashirama to bolster the strength of the 100,000 white Zetsu soldiers. They leave their lair, to fight the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
• Akatsuki
- Deidara, Uchiha Itachi, Kakuzu, Nagato, Sasori,
• Former Kages
- Fourth Kazekage, Muu, Second Mizukage, Third Raikage,
• Jinchuuriki
- Fuu, Han, Roushi, Utakata, Yagura, Nii Yugito
• Otherwise famous
- Ringo Ameyuri, Sarutobi Asuma, Chiyo, Chuukichi, Katou Dan, Suikazan Fuguki, Gari, Ginkaku and Kinkaku, Haku, Hanzou, Hyuuga Hizashi, Akebino Hini, Munashi Jinpachi, Kimimaro, Kuriarare Kushimaru, Uchiha Madara, Houzuki Mangetsu, Pakura, Shin, Toroi, Torune, Momochi Zabuza
April 5, 2012 | ep. 257: Meeting (Deai 出会い)
Little Naruto was not only nuisance to the Leaf Village, but he was a worry to them too, as the host kyuubi. But all he wanted was to be noticed and loved. When he asked the Third Hokage why he is parentless, unlike the other children, he was told that the answer will not bring his parents back.
At the same time, he was enrolled into the academy, and thus began the fateful meeting and teaming of Sasuke-Naruto and eventually Sakura.
April 12, 2012 | ep. 258: Rivals (Raibaru ライバル)
Although Team 7 is assembled, teamwork is sorely missing among the three. Then, at the Chunnin Exam, a test of survival, they begin to learn the meaning of teamwork. Unfortunately for them, this is also when Orochimaru first struck, with his trusty spy Kabuto acting as an ally to Team 7.
As Orochimaru attacks, Naruto stops him from injuring Sasuke while awakening the dormant kyuubi’s powers. After five days of test, Naruto ends the exam with not only multi-clones of himself, but Sasuke, Sakura and Kabuto to end the stalemate of the ambushing ninjas of Orochimaru’s calling. It is then, that Sasuke finally sees Naruto as someone worthy of his rivalry.
After the test, Sasuke heads to Kakashi for training (learning the one original skill of the copy ninjas – Chidori), while Naruto became the disciple of Jiraiya (drawing kyuubi’s chakra and learning rasengan).
April 19, 2012 | ep. 259: Cracks (Kiretsu 亀裂)
The rivalry and training continue, until Itachi makes and unexpected visit with Kisame. However, when he lets it known that he is not there for his brother, but Naruto, something snaps in Sasuke.
He realizes his stay in the Village is not moving him forward towards his vengeful goal. He begins to look elsewhere, and coincidentally, Orochimaru’s peons show up offering him a way out (or in in this case).
April 26, 2012 | ep. 260: Schism (Ribetsu 離別)
Shikamaru, Choji, Neji, Kiba, Akamaru and Naruto are assembled to retrieve Sasuke. Even though they have not developed such strong ties, he is one of them. And as one of them, they will do everything they can to get him back. However, the road is not without obstacles. Even the Sand siblings come to the aid of the Leaf villagers.
But to no avail. Sasuke and Naruto meet for a final time at the Valley of the End, where ironically, the statues of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama stand. It’s a battle that knows to time. No victorious were won that day, only losses. Sasuke, hoping to gain Mangekyo Sharingan by killing a friend, was lost to the dark side. Naruto, gaining strength by trying to save a friend, lost a friend.
May 3, 2012 | ep. 261: For My Friend (Tomo no Tame ni 友のために)
Kabuto resurrects the dead by using the reanimation jutsu, edo tensei. The reanimated zombies do not want to fight, but they have no say in the matter. Even the once evil doers find it an abhorrent act, because they are forced against their will. Even though they retain their memories, as the fighting begins, Kabuto will erase them and make them a true fighting and killing machine. This will not only confuse the ally forces but toy with their emotions, making it harder for them to try to kill their loved ones.
Anko sends her team back to the Leaf to report on the intel that they found (the army of Zetsu) at the Mountain’s Graveyard as she remains to ascertain a few things about the lair. However, she is waylaid by Kabuto who poisons her and her team is stopped by Deidari-Sasori and two reanimated Leaf ninjas sent on an aerial attack.
Meanwhile, at the allied shinobi side, even as they gather, distrust brew among them as they have all fought each other at one time. The Sand against the Leaf. The Leaf against the Cloud. The Mist against the Cloud. The Stone against the Mist. No one is blameless. But Gaara puts a stop to the hatred and frustration.
He of all people should know. He was born into this hatred and hunger for power because of their long distrust of each other. But that is falling right into the enemy’s trap: a destruction of the villages. He was once that way too. But for one Leaf ninja that stopped him, saved his life at (almost) the cost of his own, and forever changed his perspective. This ninja shed tears for him, his enemy, and turned around and called him his friend. So, there are no enemies among the villagers. Only friends. The Sand, the Stone, the Leaf, the Mist and the Cloud. And they are all one, the shinobi 忍.
With that, Gaara, the young and inexperienced leader of the allied troops, unites the villagers and give them hope.
May 10, 2012 | ep. 262: War Begins! (Kaisen! 開戦!)
May 17, 2012 | ep. 263:
May 24, 2012 | ep. 264:
May 31, 2012 | ep. 265:
June 7, 2012 | ep. 266:
June 14, 2012 | ep. 267:
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