Episode 26
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.
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!
All Episodes
Episode 1
Homecoming
February 15, 2007
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!
Episode 2
The Akatsuki Makes Its Move
February 15, 2007
Naruto and Sakura team up and challenge Kakashi to a survival challenge to show off their progress.
Episode 3
The Results of Training
February 22, 2007
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.
Episode 4
The Jinchuriki of the Sand
March 1, 2007
Gaara is quick to detect Deidara’s presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.
Episode 5
The Kazekage Stands Tall
March 15, 2007
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.
Episode 6
Mission Cleared
March 29, 2007
In order to protect his village from Deidara’s explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.
Episode 7
Run, Kankuro
March 29, 2007
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.
Episode 8
Team Kakashi, Deployed
April 12, 2007
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.
Episode 9
The Jinchuriki's Tears
April 12, 2007
On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead…
Episode 10
Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom Dragons
April 19, 2007
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.
Episode 11
The Medical Ninja's Student
April 26, 2007
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.
Episode 12
The Retired Granny's Determination
May 3, 2007
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.
Episode 13
A Meeting With Destiny
May 10, 2007
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.
Episode 14
Naruto's Growth
May 17, 2007
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.
Episode 15
The Secret Weapon is Called...
May 24, 2007
Granny Chiyo and Sakura rescue Naruto from Itachi’s genjutsu. Without a moment’s delay, Kakashi begins a counterattack.
Episode 16
The Secret of Jinchuriki
May 31, 2007
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.
Episode 17
The Death of Gaara!
June 7, 2007
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...
Episode 18
Charge Tactic! Button Hook Entry!!
June 21, 2007
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.
Episode 19
Traps Activate! Team Guy's Enemy
July 5, 2007
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.
Episode 20
Hiruko Vs. Two Kunoichi!
July 19, 2007
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…
Episode 21
Sasori's Real Face
July 26, 2007
Granny Chiyo and Sakura manage to expose Sasori, who amazingly looks no older than he did twenty years earlier.
Episode 22
Chiyo's Secret Skills
August 2, 2007
Sakura is caught by Sasori’s tactic and surrounded by a poison cloud.
Episode 23
Father and Mother
August 2, 2007
Chiyo and Sakura take cover, and Sasori wastes no time unleashing a ruthless attack.
Episode 24
The Third Kazekage
August 9, 2007
Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.
Episode 25
Three Minutes Between Life and Death
August 16, 2007
Sakura destroys the Third Kazekage puppet thanks to a secret antidote she had taken.
Episode 26
Puppet Fight: 10 vs. 100!
August 23, 2007
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.
Episode 27
Impossible Dream
August 30, 2007
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.
Episode 28
Revival of the Beasts
September 13, 2007
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!
Episode 29
Kakashi's Enlightened!
September 27, 2007
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.
Episode 30
Aesthetics of an Instant
September 27, 2007
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.
Episode 31
The Legacy
October 18, 2007
Relying on Naruto's power, Granny Chiyo performs the Transmigration Jutsu on Gaara.
Episode 32
Return of the Kazekage
October 25, 2007
Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.