| Episode 1 "Homecoming" | | | | skies aboard a giant clay bird and begins his aerial |
| Naruto Uzumaki returns to Konoha after a | | | | assault by lobbing exploding clay spiders onto the |
| two-and-a-half-year training journey with Jiraiya. He is | | | | guards, instantly killing them. As soon as he makes it to |
| reintroduced to his peers, who have all advanced to | | | | the Kazekage building, however, he finds Gaara there |
| Chunin rank and beyond, unlike Naruto who is still a | | | | waiting for him. |
| Genin. Elsewhere, two members of Akatsuki head | | | | Episode 4 "Jinchuriki of the Sand" |
| towards Sunagakure to capture Gaara, who has since | | | | Naruto and Sakura both realize that even though they |
| become the Kazekage, the village leader. | | | | have vastly improved, they are still no match for |
| Episode 2 "Akatsuki makes its move" | | | | Kakashi's superior techniques, as he too has become |
| Jiraiya tells Kakashi Hatake that Akatsuki's plan to | | | | stronger, and decide to resort to more unconventional |
| collect the tailed beasts is underway. Because of the | | | | means. They win the challenge by threatening to spoil |
| Demon Fox inside him, Naruto is in danger any time he | | | | the ending of Kakashi's new novel, forcing him to |
| leaves the village, so Jiraiya relinquishes Naruto's | | | | cover his ears and shut his eyes because of the |
| training to Kakashi, who can ensure his safety. Kakashi | | | | Sharingan's ability to read lips. Meanwhile, Deidara and |
| gives Naruto and Sakura Haruno a test to see how | | | | Gaara begin their battle. Deidara finds a formidable |
| far they have mproved. Meanwhile, the Akatsuki | | | | challenge in Gaara's abilities to control and manipulate |
| members Deidara and Sasori arrive at the entrance of | | | | sand. |
| the Sunagakure. They discover that Yura, their sleeper | | | | Episode 5 "As the Kazekage...!" |
| agent, has already cleared the guards. | | | | Deidara sees that subduing the Kazekage is not as |
| Epsiode 3 "The Results of Training" | | | | easy as he thought. He hurls exploding clay at Gaara |
| Kakashi challenges Naruto and Sakura with the bell | | | | to no effect, as Gaara can quickly summon a shield of |
| test, in which they must forcefully take from Kakashi | | | | sand around him with relative ease. Gaara then |
| two jingle bells using whatever means necessary. | | | | commands his sand to attack Deidara who has no |
| Sakura and Naruto both demonstrate their newly | | | | choice but to try to evade. Gaara's sand eventually |
| acquired skills. At Sunagakure, Deidara reveals his | | | | catches up with Deidara and crushes his arm. |
| ability to manipulate exploding clay. He takes to the | | | | |