Naruto Shippūden – S1 • Kazekage Rescue
Naruto Uzumaki is back! After two and a half years of training on the road with Jiraiya of the Sannin, Naruto is back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves and he's ready to show off his new skills. He and Sakura team up to take on their old master Kakashi, who's pretty impressed with their progress. They'll have plenty of opportunity to put it into action when news arrives from the Sand Village that Gaara, Naruto's former rival and now Kazekage of the Sand, has been kidnapped! And the culprits are the very same group who are after Naruto - the Akatsuki!
Episodes
Homecoming
A figure passes through the gates. It's an older Naruto, who has returned from a long training journey with Jiraiya. Naruto Uzumaki is back!
The Akatsuki Makes Its Move
Naruto and Sakura team up and challenge Kakashi to a survival challenge to show off their progress.
The Results of Training
Naruto’s and Sakura’s combined skills force Kakashi to use his Sharingan right off the bat. Naruto masterfully unleashes his jutsu one after another.
The Jinchuriki of the Sand
Gaara is quick to detect Deidara’s presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.
The Kazekage Stands Tall
Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.
Mission Cleared
In order to protect his village from Deidara’s explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.
Run, Kankuro
Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki’s efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.
Team Kakashi, Deployed
An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki’s kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.
The Jinchuriki's Tears
On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead…
Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons
The Sand ninja fight against time to treat Kankuro. Even the Sand’s poison expert, Granny Chiyo, is baffled. The only hope lies with the reinforcements sent by Tsunade.
The Medical Ninja's Student
Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she’s now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.
The Retired Granny's Determination
Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.
A Meeting With Destiny
Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s mind.
Naruto's Growth
Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi’s genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto’s mind.
The Secret Weapon is Called...
Granny Chiyo and Sakura rescue Naruto from Itachi’s genjutsu. Without a moment’s delay, Kakashi begins a counterattack.
The Secret of Jinchuriki
Chiyo and Kakashi realize that the attack was just a diversion, and that the Akatsuki have already begun the process of extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara.
The Death of Gaara!
Teams Kakashi and Guy take a short rest. Granny Chiyo watches Naruto dozing off and is reminded of Sasori as a child. The pursuit resumes, and when Chiyo wonders why Naruto puts such effort into...
Charge Tactic! Button Hook Entry!!
Teams Kakashi and Guy reach the Akatsuki hideout. They hurry to infiltrate but are thwarted by a five-seal barrier. The only way to break the barrier is to remove all five seals at once.
Traps Activate! Team Guy's Enemy
Breaking the five-seal barrier set off a trap, which now has Team Guy battling amazingly accurate copies of themselves. Back at the Akatsuki hideout, Deidara and Sasori struggle to take the Nine-Tail Jinchûriki.
Hiruko Vs. Two Kunoichi!
At last, the showdown between the old woman and her grandson begins. Sakura is confused by Sasori’s strange appearance, and Granny Chiyo explains that this is Hiruko…
Sasori's Real Face
Granny Chiyo and Sakura manage to expose Sasori, who amazingly looks no older than he did twenty years earlier.
Chiyo's Secret Skills
Sakura is caught by Sasori’s tactic and surrounded by a poison cloud.
Father and Mother
Chiyo and Sakura take cover, and Sasori wastes no time unleashing a ruthless attack.
The Third Kazekage
Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.
Three Minutes Between Life and Death
Sakura destroys the Third Kazekage puppet thanks to a secret antidote she had taken.
Puppet Fight: 10 vs. 100!
Sakura and Granny Chiyo are engaged in a fierce battle with Sasori, who is able turn himself into a human puppet. They somehow bring Sasori down within the time limit, but he ends up reviving.
Impossible Dream
Although stung with poison herself, Granny Chiyo uses the last of the antidote on Sakura. Mocking the tender scene between Granny Chiyo and Sakura, Sasori attempts to end Granny Chiyo's life.
Revival of the Beasts
Team Guy senses the result of the Sakura and Granny Chiyo’s desperate struggle while still in battle with his deadly copy. Although Guy’s team members are showing fatigue, their copies remain strong!
Kakashi's Enlightened!
Sakura hurries to get to Naruto with Granny Chiyo, who is suffering from the poison. The members of Team Guy rush to assist Team Kakashi. Meanwhile, with all preparations complete, Kakashi reveals his Mangekyo Sharingan.
Aesthetics of an Instant
Naruto loses all reason to anger and is gradually taken over by the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit. Having been forewarned by Jiraiya, Kakashi narrowly manages to suppress the Nine-Tailed Fox.
The Legacy
Relying on Naruto's power, Granny Chiyo performs the Transmigration Jutsu on Gaara.
Return of the Kazekage
Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.