List of Naruto episodes (season 2)

Naruto (season 2)
Season 2 Cover
No. of episodes	48
Season chronology

The second season from the anime series Naruto is directed by Hayato Date, and produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo. It is based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga of the same name.^[1] The season follows Team 7 taking four parts of the Chūnin Exam in which ninjas from several villages take the first test in order to upgrade ranks at the Leaf Village. During the second test, a snake human criminal Orochimaru brings an invasion against the Leaf using the army of Sand and Sound. Later, two others work for a mysterious criminal organization and attempt to kidnap Naruto Uzumaki.

The season aired in Japan between June 2003 and May 2004 on TV Tokyo.^[2] In North America, these episodes aired between June 2006 and April 2007 in both Cartoon Network's Toonami and YTV's Bionix programming blocks.^[3][4] Sony Pictures Entertainment collected the episodes in a total of twelve DVD volumes under the name of "2nd Stage",^[5] between January 1, 2004 and December 1, 2004.^[6][7] Episodes from this season were released on by Viz Media between the ninth and twenty-first DVD volumes from the series,^[8][9] while several uncut DVD boxes have also been released.^[10][11]

Nine pieces of theme music are used for the episodes; three opening themes and three closing themes in the Japanese episodes and two opening themes and an ending theme in the English ones. The first opening theme is "Haruka Kanata" (遥か彼方, lit. Far Away) by Asian Kung-Fu Generation, which is used until episode 53 where it is replaced by Little By Little's "Kanashimi o Yasashisa ni" (悲しみをやさしさに, lit. Sadness into Kindness), used for the first twenty-four episodes, and "Go!!!" by Flow for the remaining episodes. The three closing themes are "Harmonia" by Rythem, which is used until episode 51, "Viva Rock" by Orange Range, used for the first thirteen episodes, Raico's "Alive" for the next thirteen episodes, "Ima Made Nando mo" (今まで何度も, lit. Many Times Before) by The Mass Missile for the rest of the episodes. The opening and ending theme for the English airing is "Rise" by Jeremy Sweet and Ian Nickus, with an instrumental version played as the closing theme. "Haruka Kanata" replaces "Rise" in episode 52, and is then replaced by "Go" in the same way as the Japanese version.

Episode list

No.	Title	Original airdate	English airdate
36	"Clone vs. Clone: Mine are Better than Yours!" "Bunshin taiketsu! Ore ga shuyaku dattebayo!" (分身対決!オレが主役だってばよ!)	June 4, 2003	June 3, 2006
Resisting against another enemy genjutsu. Naruto uses his shadow clones to defeat the enemy ones all night, while Sasuke, Sakura and Kabuto corner them to take the scroll, before heading to the tower to meet with Kabuto's team. Unknown to Team 7, Kabuto gives all of the data to Orochimaru.
37	"Surviving the Cut! The Rookie Nine Together Again!" "Daini shiken toppa! Seizoroi rūkī nain!" (第二試験突破!勢ぞろいルーキーナイン!)	June 11, 2003	June 10, 2006
At the main room, Team 7 open two scrolls inside the tower that summons Iruka who informs them that they pass the exam, along with Team 10, 8, Guy, the Sand Siblings, Kabuto's team and Team Dosu. Hiruzen passes the announcement to Hayate Gekko who begins the third exam.
38	"Narrowing the Field: Sudden Death Elimination!" "Gōkakusha nibun no ichi!? Ikinari shiai dattebayo!!" (合格者二分の一!?イキナリ試合だってばよ!!)	June 18, 2003	June 17, 2006
Hayate informs all genin that the third exam consists of a series of one-on-one preliminary matches that if any rival loses will be disqualified from the exam or if anyone wins will proceed to the tournament for the final exam. Kabuto drops out after the first two exams. The randomize dialing machine activates and begins with Sasuke versus Yoroi Akado. Sakura warns Sasuke about the powerful awakening of the cursed mark that limits his chakra.
39	"Bushy Brow's Jealousy: Lions Barrage Unleashed!" "Geji mayu jerashī! "Shishi Rendan" Tanjō" (ゲジまゆジェラシー!「獅子連弾」誕生!)	July 2, 2003	June 24, 2006
Sasuke suffers with the limits of chakra with the power of the curse mark. Just as Yoroi absorbs his chakra, Sasuke uses Lee's Lion's Barrage to defeat Yoroi and win the match. Kakashi brings Sasuke to an isolated location to seal the curse mark and confronts Orochimaru. Back at the tower, Shino Aburame and Zaku Abumi begin to fight.
40	"Kakashi and Orochimaru: Face-to-Face!" "Isshoku sokuhatsu!! Kakashi vāsasu Orochimaru" (一触即発!!カカシVS大蛇丸)	July 9, 2003	July 1, 2006
Kakashi uses the Lightning Blade to threaten Orochimaru who leaves, before Kakashi brings Sasuke back home. Later, Shino uses destruction bugs to defeat Zaku and win the match, before Kankuro and Misumi Tsurugi fight next.
41	"Kunoichi Rumble: The Rivals Get Serious!" "Raibaru gekitotsu! Otomegokoro wa honki mōdo" (ライバル激突!オトメ心は本気モード)	July 16, 2003	July 8, 2006
Kankuro evades the attack and uses his puppet crow to defeat Misumi. The fourth match between Sakura and Ino reveals their past flashbacks that they became friends, before Sakura apparently ends it after learning that they attempt to love Sasuke. Ino restrains herself and follows Sakura's example.
42	"The Ultimate Battle: Cha!" "Besuto batoru wa shānnarō!!" (ベストバトルはしゃーんなろー!!)	July 23, 2003	July 15, 2006
While fighting each other, Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu forces Sakura to forfeit the match. However, Naruto cheers Sakura up and allows her inner one to force Ino out. Both girls fight each other until they are eliminated after a double knockout. Sakura and Ino remain friends.
43	"Killer Kunoichi and a Shaky Shikamaru" "Shikamaru tajitaji!? Kunoichi-tachi no atsuki tatakai" (シカマルタジタジ!?くの一達の熱き戦い)	July 30, 2003	July 15, 2006
As Temari defeats Tenten, Shikamaru uses his Shadow Imitation Jutsu to defeat Kin.
44	"Akamaru Unleashed! Who's Top Dog Now?" "Akamaru sansen! Makeinu wa docchi da?" (赤丸参戦!!負け犬はどっちだ?)	August 6, 2003	July 22, 2006
Kiba and Akamaru fights with Naruto who wanted to achieve his own victory. Kiba and Akamaru consume special military pills to enhance their chakra and uses a combination of speed and special Man-Beast Clone Jutsu to injure Naruto.
45	"Surprise Attack! Naruto's Secret Weapon!" "Hinata sekimen! Kankyaku anguri, Naruto no oku no te" (ヒナタ赤面! 観客あんぐり, ナルトの奥の手)	August 13, 2003	July 29, 2006
Tricking Kiba into knocking Akamaru out, Naruto takes disadvantage due to Kiba's pill-enhanced chakra of superior strength and speed. Kiba uses speed to attack Naruto from behind, but he accidentally farts into his face. Naruto uses Shadow Clones and Uzumaki Barrage to defeat Kiba.
46	"Byakugan Battle: Hinata Grows Bold!" "Byakugan kaigen!! Uchiki na Hinata no daitan ketsui!" (白眼開眼!!内気なヒナタの大胆決意!)	August 20, 2003	August 8, 2006
On the next match, Neji confronts and informs Hinata that they are cousins of the Hyuga clan. He apparently berates her into forfeiting, but Naruto cheers Hinata up into fighting with Neji with their Gentle Fist style, before Neji damages Hinata's internal organs.
47	"A Failure Stands Tall!" "Akogare no hito no me no mae de!!" (憧れの人の目の前で!!)	August 27, 2003	August 12, 2006
Neji defeats Hinata, disabling her chakra ability of the Gentle Fists. Telling Neji that she and Naruto refuse to give up, Hinata suffers with cardiac arrest, before Naruto asks Neji that they will fight in the final exam.
48	"Gaara vs. Rock Lee: The Power of Youth Explodes!" "Gaara funsai!! Wakasa da! Pawā da! Bakuhatsu da!" (我愛羅粉砕!!若さだ!パワーだ!爆発だ!)	September 3, 2003	August 19, 2006
In the penultimate match, Lee fails to use Strong Fist taijutsu against Gaara's wall of sand that automatically rises to protect him. Lee removes the heavy leg weights he wears, bypass Gaara's defense with speed and uses his Primary Lotus to defeat Gaara's sand clone.
49	"Lee's Hidden Strength: Forbidden Secret Jutsu!" "Nekketsu ochikobore! Tsuini Sakuretsu, kindan no ōgi!" (熱血落ちこぼれ!遂に炸裂, 禁断の奥義!)	September 10, 2003	August 26, 2006
Gaara reappears and attacks Lee, who recovers and uses to open the Second Gate and third.
50	"The Fifth Gate: A Splendid Ninja is Born" "Aa Rokku Rī! Kore ga otoko no ikizama yo!!" (嗚呼ロック·リー!これが男の生き様よ!!)	September 17, 2003	September 2, 2006
Lee uses the power to destroy Gaara's sand defense and opens the Fifth Gate with a powerful attack, the Hidden Lotus, which shortly increases accuracy, strength and speed to attack Garra with the barrage. However, Lee breaks the gourd, and Gaara lands to the ground softly with the sand and uses his sand coffin to crush Lee's left arm and leg. Guy stops Gaara and Guy becomes proud of Lee, before taking him back home and asking Lee to stop fighting. The final match ends between Choji and Dosu Kinuta.
51	"A Shadow in Darkness: Danger Approaches Sasuke" "Yami ni ugomeku kage Sasuke ni semaru kiki!" (闇にうごめく影 サスケに迫る危機!)	September 24, 2003	September 9, 2006
As Dosu defeats Choji, Hayate concludes the preliminaries and informs the remaining Genin to leave for a month of training before the finals. Orochimaru orders Kabuto to kidnap Sasuke, but Kakashi stops and forces Kabuto to escape from the hospital.
52	"Ebisu Returns: Naruto's Toughest Training Yet!" "Ebisu futatabi! Harenchi wa watashi ga yurushimasen zo!" (エビス再び!ハレンチは私が許しませんぞ!)	October 1, 2003	September 16, 2006
Naruto uncomfortably trains with Ebisu, who tries to teach him how to walk on water. As Naruto practices, Ebisu catches an old man who reveals to be Jiraiya spying on a women's bathhouse, Ebisu apprehends Jiraiya, before he knocks him out with a single hit.
53	"Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!" "Aiyashibaraku! Ero-sennin tōjō!" (あいやしばらく!エロ仙人登場!)	October 8, 2003	September 30, 2006
Naruto meets and convinces Jiraiya to train him. While Jiraiya oversees the training, he learns that Naruto is the host of the Nine-Tails. As Jiraiya unlocks the seal from Naruto, allowing him to walk on water, he tells him about two kinds of chakra.
54	"The Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage!" "Ero-sennin jikiden Kuchiyose no Jutsu dattebayo!!" (エロ仙人直伝 口寄せの術だってばよ!!)	October 15, 2003	October 7, 2006
That night after learning that his squad was used by Orochimaru to test Sasuke, Dosu is killed by Gaara. Kabuto plans the invasion with Baki about the invasion against the Hidden Leaf with the sand and sound ninja. Soon, Baki and Kabuto kill Hayate for sneaking up. That morning, Naruto signs a scroll and begins training with Jiraiya about summoning toads, though Naruto only does to a tadpole.
55	"A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of Hope" "Setsunai omoi Negai o kometa ichirin" (切ない想い 願いを込めた一輪)	October 22, 2003	October 21, 2006
At the hospital after Sasuke left, Sakura finds Rock Lee training to regain strength and hoping that he will be strong. Though Lee suffers excess pain, Sakura brings him inside. While the others continue their training, Naruto summons a legged-tadpole and Kakashi climbs on the cliff to find Sasuke.
56	"Live or Die: Risk it All to Win it All!" "Sei ka shi ka!? Menkyokaiden wa inochigake!" (生か死か!?免許皆伝は命懸け!)	October 29, 2003	October 28, 2006
Knowing that Naruto will use the fox's chakra between life-or-death situations, Jiraiya pushes him off the cliff. Naruto enters his subconsciousness to meet up with the Nine Tails for the first time. The Nine Tails gives Naruto bits of chakra out of self-interest, and allows Naruto to summon a giant toad to save himself.
57	"He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!" "Tonda! Haneta! Mogutta! Gama oyabun tōjō!!" (飛んだ!跳ねた!潜った!ガマ親分登場!!)	November 5, 2003	November 4, 2006
The giant toad revealed to be Gamabunta, angrily reprimands Naruto for using him. Naruto asks Gamabunta to believe him and and agrees to ride on top of Gamabunta's head without falling off to prove that he's committed. Even though Naruto is still on Gamabunta's head by the end of the day, he passes out at the last minute and out of respect Gamabunta lays him in front of the hospital doors to rest.
58	"Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed!" "Shinobiyoru ma no te! Nerawareta Byōshitsu" (しのび寄る魔の手!狙われた病室)	November 12, 2003	November 11, 2006
Naruto wakes up and finds Shikamaru giving him a basket of fruits. They stop Gaara from attempting to kill Lee. Gaara explains that his reason for existing is to kill everyone and reveals that he was alone since childhood, with hatred as being a host of a tailed beast like Naruto. Guy arrives and asks Gaara to leave the hospital.
59	"The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!" "Mō retsu Mō Tsui Mō Dasshu Hansen kaishi dattebayo" (モー烈 モー追 モーダッシュ 本選開始だってばよ)	November 19, 2003	November 18, 2006
On the day of the finals, Naruto makes his way to the arena, where he sees Hinata who wishes him good luck to finish the exam. Konohamaru shows Naruto a shortcut to the stadium when in fact it actually takes longer than the normal path. They waste a bunch of time trying to navigate back to the stadium and Naruto barely makes it in time.
60	"Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone" "Byakugan bāsasu Kage Bunshin! Ore wa zettē katsu!!" (白眼VS影分身!オレはゼってー勝つ!!)	November 26, 2003	November 18, 2006
Naruto fights with Neji. Though taijutsu proves ineffective, Neji confronts and defeats more of Naruto's shadow clones
61	"Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot!" "Shikaku zero! Mō hitotsu no zettai bōgyo" (死角ゼロ!もうひとつの絶対防御)	December 3, 2003	November 18, 2006
Neji identifies the real Naruto to disable all of his shadow clones and uses a powerful defensive technique against him. Neji tells Naruto about the history of the Hyuga clan that Neji's father, Hizashi arranges to protect Hinata's father Hiashi. He reaffirms his belief in the unchanged nature of one's destiny.
62	"A Failure's True Power" "Ochikobore no Sokojikara!" (落ちこぼれの底力!)	December 10, 2003	November 18, 2006
Naruto uses the fox's chakra to defeat Neji with the shadow clone as decoys. After telling Neji to stop blindly putting faith into whether or not one can change destiny, Naruto wins the round.
63	"Hit it or Quit it: The Final Rounds Get Complicated!" "Shikkaku!? Kiken! Maedaoshi! Haranbukumi no daihonsen!" (失格!?キケン!前倒し!波乱含みの大本戦)	December 17, 2003	November 25, 2006
While Neji is recovering, Hiashi enters the room and reveals the truth about his younger twin brother Hizashi. Hiashi once killed a head ninja from the Land of Lightning in order to save Hinata's life; however, this hindered the establishment of a treaty between the Hidden Leaf and Storm. A condition was added to the treaty and unless Hiashi was killed and sent to the Land of Lightning the treaty would not go through. Neji learns that Hizashi sacrificed himself out of his own freewill to protect Hiashi and keep the main house's Byakugan from falling into enemy hands. As Neji reads Hizashi's final letter and realizes the truth, he forgives Hiashi. Meanwhile, Genma Shiranui postpones the match due to Sasuke's absence, Shino and Kankuro forfeit their matches, and Shikamaru and Temari's matches begin.
64	"Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy!" "Kumo wa ii naa... yaruki zero no otoko" (雲はいいなあ...やる気ゼロの男)	December 24, 2003	December 2, 2006
As Shikamaru quickly studies the arena and elements, Temari launches several attacks at Shikamaru. Having knowledge of Shikamaru's skill, she tries to avoid standing in the shadow of the arena and the objects in it; however, she forgets that as time passes the sun changes position and certain shadows are elongated while other shortened. This, in addition to her neglect of the two holes left in the ground from when Naruto defeated Neji, allows Shikamaru to stretch his shadow possession through the two holes in the ground to immobilize and control her. Out of a lack of care, Shikamaru forfeits the match and Temari wins the round.
65	"Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand" "Gekitotsu! Konoha mai Suna ugomeku toki" (激突!木ノ葉舞い砂うごめく瞬間)	December 31, 2003	December 9, 2006
Before the match starts, Hiruzen sets a time limit for Sasuke to arrive. Time passes and the audience becomes frustrated and even begin to speculate that Sasuke won't appear. To the surprise of all, Sasuke and Kakashi arrive at the last minute, and as Gaara makes his way into the stadium he impulsively kills a pair of ninjas standing in his way.
66	"Bushy Brow's Jutsu: Sasuke Style!" "Arashi o yobu otoko!! Sasuke no Gejimayu-ryū Taijutsu!" (嵐を呼ぶ男!!サスケのゲジマユ流体術!)	January 14, 2004	December 16, 2006
Sasuke's enhanced speed and taijutsu skills bypass Gaara's sand-based defenses with ease, like Lee. Gaara creates a sand sphere of sand to protect him.
67	"Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!" "Date ni okureta wake ja nai! Kyūkyoku ōgi - Chidori tanjō!!" (だてに遅れたわけじゃない!究極奥義·千鳥誕生!!)	January 14, 2004	December 23, 2006
Being taught by Kakashi, Sasuke uses his new jutsu, the Lightning Blade to break the shield and pierce Gaara, who starts to bleed from his chest. Soon, Kabuto uses a genjutsu to put the audience to sleep and signals the invasion against the village.
68	"Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!" ""Konoha Kuzushi" Shidō!" (「木ノ葉崩し」始動!)	January 28, 2004	January 6, 2007
Orochimaru reveals that he killed the Fourth Kazekage and attacks Hiruzen while his personal bodyguards, the Sound Four, create a barrier to stop any outsiders from interfering. During this time, Sound and Sand ninjas continue to infiltrate the Leaf Village. Kankuro and Temari carry Gaara and escape while Sasuke pursues them. While Kakashi fends off the invaders, Sakura repels the sleep-inducing genjutsu to wake Naruto and Shikamaru up.
69	"Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!" "Mattemashita! Ē-ranku ninmu dattebayo!!" (待ってました!Aランク任務だってばよ!!)	February 4, 2004	January 13, 2007
Kakashi summons and leaves Pakkun to assist Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru into finding Sasuke. While the Anbu sees Orochimaru battling Hiruzen, Orochimaru uses the Reanimation Jutsu to summon two deceased predecessors, Tobirama and Hashirama Senju who apologize to Hiruzen.
70	"A Shirker's Call to Action: A Layabout No More!" "Nigegoshi nanbaa wan Mendokuse~ ga yarukkya nē!!" (逃げ腰NO.1 めんどくせーがやろっきゃねえ!!)	February 11, 2004	January 20, 2007
As Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru and Pakkun pursue Sasuke, they are being followed by nine Sound ninjas. Shikamaru traps them with the shadow to stall only eight of them, but the ninth recedes the shadow to free the rest, before Asuma arrives and defeats all nine Sound ninjas.
71	"An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!" "Kokon musō! "Hokage" to iu reberu no tatakai" (古今無双!「火影」というレベルの戦い)	February 18, 2004	January 27, 2007
The brother's Wood Style art takes advantage against Hiruzen who summons Enma to help him, before Orochimaru brings out his Kusanagi sword. Hiruzen learns that anyone who are brought back by the Reanimation Jutsu are immune to any normal form of attack and regenerate from any injury dealt on them. Orochimaru peels away the mask in the face of a girl whose body still occupies.
72	"A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!" "Hokage no ayamachi Kamen ni shita no sugao" (火影の過ち 仮面の下の素顔)	February 25, 2004	January 27, 2007
While Gaara and Kankuro escape, Sasuke defeats Temari and resumes the chase. Meanwhile, Orochimaru reveals the nature of his Transference Ritual and transfers his being into the body of another in every few years and that he intends to make Sasuke as a new vessel. Regretting not killing Orochimaru, Hiruzen uses his chakra to summons shadow clones as a last resort attack to rectify errors.
73	"Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal!" "Kinjutsu ōgi! "Shiki Fūjin"" (禁術奥義!「屍鬼封尽」)	March 3, 2004	February 3, 2007
Hiruzen uses his clones and the Reaper Death Seal on the fake Senju brothers that reveal to be Kin and Zaku. Hiruzen learns that the Reaper Death Seal is a double-edge attack that the Fourth Hokage used to defeat the Nine-Tails with his own soul. Having given up two thirds of his own to seal the Senju brothers within the Reaper's stomach, Hiruzen grabs the soul of Orochimaru's arms, before he stabs him with the Kusanagi. Meanwhile, Shino confronts and fights with Kankuro, while Sasuke pursues Gaara and Temari.
74	"Astonishing Truth! Gaara's Identity Emerges!" "Kyōgaku! Gaara no Shōtai" (驚愕!我愛羅の正体)	March 10, 2004	February 10, 2007
Kankuro uses his puppet to attack Shino who dodges the attack through the use of destruction bugs. As Shino suffers with the puppet's poison gas and Kankuro resists against the insects, Sasuke catches up with Gaara.
75	"Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!" "Genkai o koete... Sasuke no ketsudan!!" (限界を越えて... サスケの決断!!)	March 17, 2004	February 17, 2007
Gaara begins transforming into Shukaku with strength and speed, and attacks Sasuke who fails to use the Lightning Blade for the third time and still suffers with the power of the curse mark. As Sakura and Pakkun arrive to help Sasuke, Naruto kicks to repel Gaara's attack.
76	"Assassin of the Moonlit Night" "Tsukiyo no ansatsusha" (月夜の暗殺者)	March 24, 2004	February 24, 2007
Gaara pushes Sakura out of the way, while Naruto grabs Sasuke. Gaara recalls his childhood memory about his maternal uncle Yashamaru who cares about him and trust.
77	"Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of Gaara" "Hikari to Yami Gaara to iu na" (光と闇 我愛羅という名)	March 31, 2004	March 3, 2007
Yashamaru tells Gaara about statements between his mother's death and his uncle's suicide bombing that Gaara survived the blast with the sand shield. As Gaara loves only for himself, he started to find purpose in killing others. Back in the present day, Gaara keeps the grip on Sakura with his sand claw choking to death. Feeling deranged, Gaara challenges Naruto to fight.
78	"Naruto's Ninja Handbook" "Bakuhatsu! Kore zo Naruto ninpōchō~~!!" (爆発!これぞナルト忍法帖〜〜っ!!)	April 7, 2004	March 10, 2007
Naruto fears with Gaara, but Naruto's determination awakens truly along with the will of fire. Naruto uses techniques from his Ninja Handbook scroll and unleashes his new Barrage technique with 2,000 shadow clones. Eight shadow clones kicked Gaara into the air and the rest punched Gaara on every inch of his body before two delivered the final blow to the barrage. Naruto fails to kick twice as Gaara is completely transformed into the One Tail Shukaku. Just as Naruto summons Gamabunta, Shukaku puts Gaara to sleep and takes over the fight. Naruto and Gamabunta transform into a replica of the Nine-Tails.
79	"Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light" "Rimitto bucchigiri! ~Hikari to Yami~" (リミットぶっちぎり! 〜光と闇〜)	April 14, 2004	March 17, 2007
As Gamabunta holds back against Shukaku, Naruto uses the fox's chakra and headbutts Gaara, who wakes up and recovers. While the parents of many Genin counterattack against the invaders, Hiruzen dies losing strength and seals the part of Oroshimaru within his arms to prevent him from using handsigns. Naruto uses the finishing blow on Gaara in the air.
80	"The Third Hokage, Forever..." "Sandaime yo, towa ni......!!" (三代目よ, 永久に......!!)	April 21, 2004	March 24, 2007
As the invasion fails, Orochimaru and Kabuto flee from the Leaf Village. In the forest while laying on the ground, Naruto promises Gaara not to threaten and kill anyone again and the Sand Siblings apologizes to them before returning to the Sand Village. The next day, the Leaf Villagers mourn for Hiruzen.
81	"Return of the Morning Mist" "Asagiri no kikyō" (朝霧の帰郷)	April 28, 2004	March 31, 2007
Jiraiya declines the position of the Fifth Hokage, telling the elders that his friend Tsunade will be the candidate. Jiraiya offers to find her and asks that he will take Naruto with him. Arriving at the village, Itachi and Kisame Hoshigaki confronts Asuma and Kurenai, before Kakashi arrives.
82	"Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!" "Sharingan tai Sharingan!!" (写輪眼VS写輪眼!!)	May 5, 2004	April 7, 2007
Kakashi and Itachi fight with the power of the Sharingan, before Itachi neutralizes Kakashi with the Tsukuyomi. Kakashi resists it and asks him why he left the village, he replies that they are after Naruto, which Kakashi learns that they want the Nine-Tails for the Akatsuki organization. Guy arrives to save Asuma, Kurenai and the injured Kakashi, before Itachi and Kisame left the battle.
83	"Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!" "Ō, nō~! Jiraiya no jonan, Naruto no sainan" (おお, のォ〜っ!自来也の女難, ナルトの災難)	May 12, 2004	April 14, 2007
Guy, Asuma and Kurenai bring Kakashi home to rest. Learning that Itachi will kidnap Naruto, Sasuke rushes out but discovers that Naruto and Jiraiya left the village. In another town while staying at the hotel room with Jiraiya, Naruto confronts Itachi and Kisame.

References

1. "Naruto staff" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
2. "Naruto story" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved June 5, 2009.
3. "Viz to Stream Naruto on Naruto.com Within 1 Week of Japanese Airing (Updated)". Anime News Network. November 17, 2008. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
4. "Canada's YTV to Premiere Death Note Anime in September". Anime News Network. July 19, 2007. Retrieved June 8, 2009.
5. "2nd Stage" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
6. "NARUTO 2nd Stage Vol.1". CDJapan. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
7. "NARUTO 2nd Stage Vol.12". CDJapan. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
8. "Naruto, Vol. 9 (DVD)". Viz Media. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
9. "Naruto, Vol. 21 (DVD)". Viz Media. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
10. "Naruto Uncut Season 2, Vol. 1 (DVD Box Set)". Viz Media. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
11. "Naruto Uncut Season 2, Vol. 2 (DVD Box Set)". Viz Media. Retrieved November 6, 2011.