Zabuza Arc:
Page 004

Stabbed to death while protecting Naruto, Sasuke goes down...!! Seeing his friend changed beyond recognition, Naruto realizes how sad it is to be a shinobi, and flies into an unprecedented rage...!!

Page 005

Team Kakashi's first A-ranked mission starts in the Wave Country...!!

Uzumaki Naruto was Konohagakure's resident troublemaker. He graduated from the Academy, and made his first steps as a shinobi while assigned to Team 7 under Kakashi's rule. He would strive to fulfill his missions, together with Sasuke and Sakura. Among those, Team 7 acted as an escort for Tazuna, a reputed bridge builder. Suddenly, assassins appeared, disrupting the easy-going mood of the journey. Then, it also came to a fight with Zabuza, one of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist, making the mission all the more violent...!! The bridge Tazuna was building meant hope to a Wave Country in the throes of poverty. In order to give a future to such hope, Naruto and his group engaged Haku and Zabuza in a decisive battle. The battle was extremely harsh, and the reliable Kakashi was having a hard time struggling against Zabuza's techniques. Furthermore Sasuke fell, wounded while protecting Naruto. Naruto's anger erupted towards Haku, who'd brought harm upon his comrade!! The power of the Kyuubi inside of him awakened, and this was the starting point of a fierce counter-attack!!

↑ Naruto was unable to do anything during his first real battle. He swore on the pain in his left hand that he would flee from battle no more!!
↑ During his training for the decisive battle to come, Naruto met a beautiful young boy. That very same boy was the prodigiously skilled shinobi who'd helped Zabuza out of trouble, however.
↑ Haku used his Hyouton (Ice Release) Kekkei Genkai to drive the two of them into a corner.
↑ The power of the Nine-Tails sealed by Yondaime Hokage into Naruto has awakened! He releases an incredibly huge amount of chakra!!

When I was about your age, these hands of mine were already red with blood...

Momochi Zabuza

The prodigy of silent murder, dreaded as the Devil of the Hidden Mist. His coup d'etat conspiracy against his village had failed. He fought as Gatou's mercenary, in order to gather the funds for his revenge.

Chuunin Exam:
Page 006

Driven into a corner, his chakra sealed away by Neji's Juuken, Naruto's fighting spirit remains unabated!! A peculiar kind of chakra emanates from his entire body......!!

Page 009

A gathering of Genin from several countries!! The massive hurdle that is the Chuunin exam has begun!!

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura have completed highly difficult missions, and thus gained in confidence. As shinobi seeking even further greatness, they have a go at the Chuunin preliminary exam. Charging through the extremely tough obstacle that was the first test, Naruto and the gang carried on forcefully. But they cross paths with Orochimaru, who was plotting to overthrow the Hidden Leaf village...!! Orochimaru was after Sasuke's person. They barely escaped from his grasp, but not before Sasuke was bitten by him, thus branded with a Cursed Seal...... The third test consisted in one-on-one fights. Naruto had made it through the initial exam, and it was decided that Neji, the prodigious Byakugan user would be his opponent. Naruto turned to one of the Legendary Sannin - Jiraiya - for vigorous training, preparing himself for a violent struggle. Then finally, came the confrontation with Neji. Naruto was aching from having his chakra sealed away by Neji's Juuken, but he awakened the Nine-Tails' chakra and launched his counter-attack...!!

↑ A magnificent declaration of war! The heart of someone who aims to become Hokage won't be shaken by any obstacle!!
Neji's victory was predestined, or so he said: far from backing out, Naruto opposed him!! For he would subvert destiny and carve his own path!!

I ain't chickening out!!

Those who confronted the obstacles

The Genin who were aiming for a promotion were brimming with fighting spirit. They might have been Genin, but their faces were those of self-confident, skillful people sent forth by their various countries.


Konoha Invasion Arc:
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"I want to protect my dear friends": Naruto has found his own wish mirrored in Sasuke's words!! Kyuubi's red chakra gushes out and envelops him!!

Page 011

The time when war suddenly breaks out: a conspiracy from the fearsome Orochimaru!!

Konoha's destruction at Otogakure and Sunagakure's hands has finally begun, on Orochimaru's orders..!! In order to protect his beloved village and its inhabitants, whom he regards as his family, Sandaime Hokage pits himself in a fight to the death against his former disciple!! Meanwhile, Naruto's group receives instruction from Kakashi, to retrieve Sasuke, who's pursuing Gaara and those who accompany him. During his battle against Sasuke, Gaara gradually exposes his true form, that of Shukaku of the Sand. Naruto has rushed in, and upon seeing Gaara's appearance, that of one who, just like him, is host to a monster, he experiences fear as he'd never known before. But as Sakura and Sasuke struggle, he eventually overcomes his previous apprehension, in order to rescue his allies. Gaara achieves his perfect form, and Naruto unleashes Kyuubi's chakra and summons Gamabunta to settle the scores with him...!!

↑ Sandaime puts his soul on the line to activate the Fuuinjutsu: Shiki Fuujin (Sealing technique: Cadaverous Fiend's Sealing Completion).
→ Orochimaru, who's been impersonating the Kazekage, has finally revealed himself...!!
↓ Naruto has ascertained his determination to protect his friends. Without fear for Gaara, he makes an explosive show of the miraculous Naruto Nisen Rendan (Naruto's 2000-hit combo)!!
→ Shukaku V.S Bunta: Konoha's ground trembles from the huge clash of ninjutsu.

I fight for my own sake

Gaara of the Desert (cf: DB 2: Ryuusa Bakuryuu for an explanation about Gaara's name)

Son of the Fourth Kazekage, and the jinchuuriki who hosts Shukaku the "Ichibi" in his very flesh. As everyone including his own father had made attempts on his life when he was a child, the fact of being unwanted broke him apart, and he feels truly alive when he slaughters.

Sannin Showdown:
Page 012

What a shinobi needs is guts!! He makes a great promise to Tsunade for the sake of reaching his undying goal, the Hokage's position!!

Page 013

During the search for a new Hokage, Naruto gives birth to his brand new jutsu!!

Tsunade is a medical ninjutsu specialist. In order to bring her back, Naruto and Jiraiya went on a trip to look for her, concurrently with Naruto's training... At the same time, Orochimaru approached her. He needed some advanced medical ninjutsu if he were to heal the arms Sandaime Hokage had dispatched, so he could assault Konoha anew. But Tsunade dreaded Orochimaru's poisonous lures. Then, she chose to fight to protect her village.
Jiraiya&Tsunade V.S Orochimaru.
The great, fierce battle that marked the parting of ways of the former comrades had begun!! Even during this excessively high level fight, Naruto didn't run away, but jumped headfirst into the action. And his new jutsu, Rasengan, made an explosive entry against Orochimaru's cunning henchman, Yakushi Kabuto!!

↑ The training to increase the chakra's power was posing a challenge. That of using the chakra's rotation to burst open the rubber ball...
→↓ Tsunade was violently shaken by Orochimaru's unholy transaction. The loss of those she'd lost in the past was hindering her judgment.
↑ He finally completes his new jutsu, Rasengan, in actual battle!! He corners Kabuto, whose skill is on par with Kakashi's!!
← Tsunade overcomes her hematophobia and engages Orochimaru... Thus starts the Legendary Sannin's summoning confrontation!!

Ninja are people who withstand and endure

The legendary Sannin

From left to right: Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. They're Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen's three disciples...!! The valorous Rain ninja Salamander Hanzou gave them their name during the Second Shinobi World War.

Sasuke Retrieval Arc:
Page 014

His right shoulder speared through by Sasuke, Naruto's whole body is damaged. But his determination to bring his friend back calls upon the strength of Kyuubi, who slumbers inside of him.

Page 017

His friend fled from the village in a quest for power...! Operation "Retrieve Sasuke or die trying"!!

His ultimate goal is to extract revenge from Itachi for anihilating the Uchiha clan, no more, no less!! Sasuke succumbs to Orochimaru's temptations, and ends up leaving Konoha, out of an excessive thirst for power. Orochimaru's goal is to usurp Sasuke's body with his Reincarnation jutsu, however!! Aware of this, Naruto and some others band together into a squad. Following Tsunade's command, they engage into the Sasuke Retrieval mission...!! But the Sound ninja they face are skilled enough even to knock Jounin around. Our friends have no choice outside of withdrawing from the team one after another, each one of them resolute to bring down their opponent. All of it so Naruto can catch up with Sasuke, and rescue him from the darkness!! After a great many sacrifices, Naruto catches a glimpse of Sasuke at the Fire Country's border. He calls him out, bidding him to return. But his heart cries out in vain, finding no echo. Thus begins the fight between best friends as well as rivals!!

↑ Sasuke utters his gratitude to Sakura for halting him, then steps into the darkness.
← Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba and Chouji's team presses forward each one's trust placed into their friends.
↑↓ If they are to fulfill their goals, the only option is to fight and defeat one another...
↑ Naruto is clad in Kyuubi's chakra, and Sasuke is in his Cursed Seal's Stage 2! Super-powered Rasengan and Chidori meet each other in a clash...!!

This container is to be the receptacle of a great dream...

The Sound ninja

The elite handpicked by Orochimaru, founder of the Hidden Sound village. All of them are able to power-up, courtesy of their Cursed Seal. Thanks to their hard training, they are also masters of its Stage 2 transformation.

Gaara Retrieval Arc:
Page 018

Akatsuki invades the Hidden Sand! A wicked ambition is on the move!!

It's been about 2 years since the fierce battle at the Valley of the End. Akatsuki has been keeping a low profile, but is now finally on the move!! Their targets are the bijuu. Deidara infiltrates the Hidden Sand, defeats Gaara, the Ichibi's jinchuuriki, and makes off with him. In the meantime, Naruto, who's returned to Konoha after a lengthy training, learns about Gaara's predicament from Sunagakure's emergency call, and heads out to the rescue. Together with Team Guy and Chiyo, he locates the Akatsuki's hideout, but it's already too late. Gaara's life has come to an end, and his body lies on the floor. Seething and burning with indomitable anger, Naruto engages Deidara, while Sakura does the same with Sasori in life-threatening battles.

→ The Kazekage - Gaara - catches up to Deidara, who's infiltrated the Hidden Sand from high above. He drives him to the wall for a while...
↑ Akatsuki abducts the Kazekage, and the village is in a state of emergency!!

I'll be attacking the village from above

Akatsuki

The shinobi from this greatly ambitious organization are clad in black cloth with red could motifs. Composed exclusively of powerhouses (tn: minus Konan, obviously)possessing some kind of peculiar ability, they seek to use the bijuu to bring a radical change to the world.

Chasing after Gaara, he enters the Akatsuki's hideout!! There, he catches sight of his friend, lying on the ground. Naruto runs at the enemy, out of unsubduable anger and sorrow!!

Page 019

→ Even the Third, reputed to be the strongest in a line of Kazekage, has been turned into a puppet, a pawn under Sasori's control.
↑ He activates the Mangekyou Sharingan in order to confront Deidara, who specializes in long-ranged attacks!!
→ Following Kakashi, Naruto attacks!! He connects miraculously, and inflicts severe damage upon Deidara!!
← Chiyo has sacrificed her life to resurrect Gaara with her Reincarnation ninjutsu. Leaving the Hidden Sand's future in two shinobi youngsters' hands...

Penis... Uh, Tenchikyou Arc:
Page 020

In Orochimaru's hideout, the time of the reunion has finally come!! But after 3 years or so, Sasuke's heart has grown cold, and even the few links he ever had have been cut down.

Page 023

The New Team Kakashi heads towards Tenchikyou! The fated reunion is at hand!!

Orochimaru's hideout is ascertained thanks to the intelligence gained from Sasori...!! Since Kakashi is out of commission, Team 7 integrates Yamato and Sai to compensate its member shortage - creating the New Team Kakashi - then heads for the Tenchi Bridge. Yamato transforms into Sasori and contacts Kabuto, but Orochimaru, who's discovered them, appears suddenly, forcing him to reluctantly commence battle. In his impatience to recover Sasuke, Naruto unlocks Kyuubi's power up to the fourth tail...!! He loses his sense of self and ends up harming even his allies. After the end of a fierce battle, Naruto's self is restored by Yamato, and together with his teammates, he follows the tracks of a retreating Orochimaru! Then, he eventually locates Orochimaru's hideout, and successfully infiltrates it. At the end of a long run through a dark, gloomy corridor he sees the light, and with it, someone he's been dying to meet again: Uchiha Sasuke.

→ The new member, Sai, originates from the ANBU's ROOT...! Sai, who values the mission even above his allies, often clashes with Naruto...
↓ On the surface, he was moving in accordance with Naruto and the rest, but the true orders he'd received from Danzou were to assassinate Sasuke!!
↑← Naruto loses himself and goes wild! Orochimaru pulls out his wondrous, uncanny jutsu! At this point, the level they fight at is that of monsters!!
↑ The Kyuubi's four-tailed stage is, for all intents and purposes, a miniature of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox!!
→ Sasuke attacks Naruto's group! Has he completely severed his ties?!

Mine are ties of another kind

Uchiha Sasuke

He used to be a member of Team Kakashi, but he fled from his village and went to Orochimaru in a quest for power. Everything in order to extract revenge from his older brother, Itachi...!!

The Immortals Arc:
Page 024

"I'm takin' it from 'ere, fer cryin' out loud". Naruto has progressed, developing his brand new jutsu. Kakashi sees his own master in him, a fact that makes him aware that a new era has arrived.

Page 025

Fighting those who have surpassed death!! The Rasenshuriken makes an explosive entry!!

To retrieve Sasuke, Naruto has no choice other than strengthening himself. He starts to train in order to develop his personal strongest jutsu ever!! The Akatsuki has been rather active itself in the meantime. Hidan and Kakuzu have put their hands on Nibi in the Hidden Cloud village, and are now raiding the Land of Fire. They have assaulted the Fire Temple. Konohagakure did establish an assault perimeter, but on the downside, Sarutobi Asuma fell in battle...!! Along with Kakashi, Shikamaru, Ino, and Chouji engage the Akatsuki in order to avenge their master!! Thanks to Shikamaru's strategy, they successfully separate the AKatsuki duo, only for Kakashi to find himself in dire straits before the frightening vitality boasted by Kakuzu. At that moment, however, Naruto has completed his training, and he and his group rush in...!! Naruto talks his way into a one-on-one fight against Kakuzu, and activates his new jutsu, the Fuuton: Rasenshuriken (Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken)!!

↑ Naruto makes use of the Tajuu Kage Bunshin's particularities for a training method only him can accomplish. His progress is a thousand times faster than normal!!
↑ Asuma dies in battle, killed by the dreadful Curse operated by Hidan.
→ Shikamaru vows to avenge his master, and fights alone!! He unfolds his multi-layerd strategies and drives Hidan into a trap!!
↑ Kakuzu has 5 hearts. The tendrils protruding from his body are even aiming for Kakashi's heart!!
↑ Fuuton: Rasenshuriken emits a high-pitched sound as it activates.

Don't let your guard down. You may die.
Like you can pull that one on me, Kakuzu.

The Deathless Combo

Kakuzu has lived for over 100 years with other people's stolen hearts. Hidan has obtained an undying body thanks to the Jashinit Curse. They make up a miraculous combination to be proud of.

Uchiha Brothers:
Page 026

In the Uchiha clan's hideout, the confrontation between the older brother - Itachi - and the younger one - Sasuke - is finally to take place. Now, the lengthy journey on the road to revenge is coming to an end...!!

Page 027

When the two Wheels of Replication (tn: "Sharin" in the original text) connect, the hands of destiny start to move!!

It's been about three years since he deserted from Konoha. Uchiha Sasuke has pulverized Orochimaru, and taken his power for himself.!! Suigetsu, Karin, as well as Juugo... Sasuke handpicked the best from Orochimaru's hideouts, and added them to his party to form the Hebi (Serpent) squad, and ran after his older brother, Itachi's shadow, drawing closer and closer to the completion of his revenge. Aware of Sasuke's activities, Akatsuki sent Deidara after him, a Deidara who would be crushed by ingenuity and battle tactics!! Then finally, his decisive battle against Itachi had begun...!! Qualifying this conflict between kinsmen of gruesome and ghastly would be appropriate. The curtain fell on this literal deathmatch with Itachi's demise, Sasuke's longstanding wish fulfilled... But after the battle, Uchiha Madara appeared before Sasuke, and told him about the fate that was forced upon the Uchiha clan, as well as the sorrowful truth of a man called Uchiha Itachi...!!

← Once he'd obtained his fair share of power, Sasuke turned his back on Orochimaru!! He took Orochimaru's power as the latter assaulted him, then he started the journey that would lead him to the fulfillment of the desire he'd been nurturing for so long.
↓ The originator of the Cursed Seal, Juugo. Karin, whose perception and healing abilities are second to none. The Miracle Child from the Hidden Mist, Suigetsu. The Hebi squad is pursuing Itachi...!!
→ Deidara burns with a tenacious grudge because he's lost to an Uchiha!! Sasuke has a hard time against his Explosive Clay, but he still wins, albeit barely.
↑ They prove themselves to be Uchiha, "the clan that manipulates Fire". Sparks are scattering from the two hulking flames. The progress Sasuke has achieved lets him attack and defend on the same footing as Itachi. Or does it...?!
↑ Once Sasuke uncovered the truth, something happened to his eyes...

How far can you see with that Sharingan of yours?

Uchiha Itachi

Sasuke's brother, and the traitor who annihilated the Uchiha clan. Possessor of the Mangekyou Sharingan, he manipulates the genjutsu Tsukuyomi and the inextinguishable flames of Amaterasu.

The newest NARUTO Relationships Chart:
Pages 030-031

They engage into a great battle

Hidden Leaf village
(Konoha's top brass)
Danzou - antagonism (with Tsunade)
Tsunade - master and student (with Sakura)
Mitokado Homura
Utatane Koharu

Team Kakashi
Sai - Danzou's underling
Haruno Sakura
Yamato - senpai and kouhai (with Kakashi)
Hatake Kakashi - sensei (Naruto's)
Uzumaki Naruto - love/fondness for (Sakura *argh*); master and student (with Jiraiya); wants to avenge his master (from Pain); targeted for his bijuu (by Pain)

(Those who investigate Pain)
Nara Shikamaru
Shiho
Yamanaka Inoichi
Morino Ibiki
Jiraiya - formerly master and student (with Pain)

Akatsuki
Zetsu
Tobi/Uchiha Madara - collaborates (with Pain and Kisame); allied (with Sasuke)
Pain
Hoshigaki Kisame
Konan - fellow villagers (with Pain)
Kakuzu
Hidan
Sasori
Deidara
Uchiha Itachi - older brother (Sasuke's)

Taka
Uchiha Sasuke - trounced (Orochimaru)
Hoozuki Suigetsu - collaborates with (Sasuke)
Juugo - collaborates with (Sasuke)
Karin - like oil and water (with Suigetsu); loves/is fond of (Sasuke)

Hidden Sound village
Orochimaru - secession (from Akatsuki); because of (Itachi)
Yakushi Kabuto - revenge (for Orochimaru)

Hidden Cloud village
Raikage - wants revenge from (Sasuke)
Killer Bee - siblings (with the Raikage)

The powerhouses of the ninja world!!!

Crisis: the Hidden Leaf village has been destroyed?! Those of Konoha are fighting to protect it!! Those of Akatsuki seek to have the bijuu under their control!! Get a good grasp of the relationships between people caught together in revenge mayhem, and proceed into a narration of violence!!