List of Naruto: Shippuden episodes (season 12)

Naruto: Shippuden (Season 12)
Season 12 Cover
No. of episodes	33
Season chronology

The episodes from the twelfth season of the anime series Naruto: Shippuden are based on Part II of the setting of Naruto manga series by Masashi Kishimoto. The episodes are directed by Hayato Date and produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo.^[1] The season focuses on Naruto's training to control the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox and the first day of the world war against the criminal organization Akatsuki.

The twelfth season began airing on January 5, 2012 on TV Tokyo and ended on August 16, 2012.^[2] On January 2, 2009 Viz Media and Crunchyroll began providing subtitled episodes.^[3] The English dubbed version of this season began on May 24, 2014, through Neon Alley. The season's collection in DVD started on October 3, 2012 under the title of Nine-tailed Fox Taming and Karmic Encounters (九尾掌握と因果なる邂逅 Kyūbi Shōaku to Inga naru Kaikō).^[4] Episodes 248 and 249 were released together under the title of "Special Volume: Naruto's Birth" (特別編 ~ナルト誕生~) on August 1, 2012. Episodes 257 to 260 were released on September 5, 2012 under the title of "Special Volume: Two Fates" (特別編　~宿命の二人~).^[5]

This season contains five musical themes: two openings and three endings. The first opening theme, "newsong" by tacica, is used from episodes 243 to 256. The second opening theme, "Totsugeki Rock" (突撃ロック, "Assault Rock") by The Cro-Magnons, is used from episode 257 to 275. The first ending theme, "By My Side" (バイマイサイド Bai Mai Saido) by Hemenway, is used from episodes 243 to 256. The second ending theme, "Cascade" (カスケード Kasukēdo) by UNLIMITS, is used from episodes 257 to 268. The third ending theme, "Kono Koe Karashite feat. CHEHON" (この声枯らしてfeat. CHEHON, "Shout This Voice Dry feat. CHEHON") by AISHA, is used from episode 269 to 275.

Episode listing

No.	Title	Original airdate	English airdate
243	"Land Ahoy! Is this the Paradise Island?" "Jōriku! Rakuen no Shima?" (上陸! 楽園の島?)	January 5, 2012	May 24, 2014
Upon arrival, Naruto meets Killer Bee and is amazed at his mastery of his tailed beast. Naruto requests training from him, but Bee refuses since he is on "vacation". After hearing that Naruto and Bee had bumped fists, Motoi takes Naruto to the Waterfall of Truth, where Bee had started his training to control the Eight-Tails. In front of the waterfall, Naruto is greeted by another version of himself, who berates Naruto on how quickly the people from Konoha changed their opinions of him. Both he and the other Naruto begin to fight and are evenly matched.
244	"Killer Bee and Motoi" "Kirābī to Motoi" (キラービーとモトイ)	January 12, 2012	May 31, 2014
Motoi confesses to Naruto and Yamato that he had attempted to kill Bee during their childhood because of his father's death during the sealing of the Eight Tails 30 years ago. As the young Bee became the Jinchuriki of Eight-Tails, Motoi realized that Bee received the same maltreatment from his fellow villagers just as he had, and Naruto begins to understand what kind of life Bee had in the past. After Motoi's confession, Naruto leaves the Waterfalls of Truth and heads to edge of the island where he thinks how to overcome his hatred and defeat his dark self. As the squid attacks again and Motoi is caught by its tentacles, Bee appears as the Eight Tails defeating the squid and saving Motoi. Motoi asks Bee why he saved him despite his attempt to kill him. Bee answers in a rap that it is because they are friends.
245	"The Next Challenge! Naruto vs. The Nine Tails" "Saranaru Shiren! Naruto VS Kyūbi!!" (さらなる試練! ナルトVS九尾!!)	January 19, 2012	May 31, 2014
Naruto overcomes his dark self by thanking him for being who he really was. He passes the first test and Bee becomes his instructor. They then head to a temple, which is a training ground for Jinchurikis to conquer and fully control their Tailed Beasts. Bee, Yamato and Naruto enter a chamber where Naruto must fight the Nine Tails, and Bee advises him on how to confront the Nine Tails.
246	"The Orange Spark" "Orenji-iro no Kagayaki" (オレンジ色の輝き)	January 26, 2012	June 14, 2014
During the battle between Naruto and the Nine Tails, the Nine Tails' hatred overcomes Naruto. Voices from everywhere demoralizes Naruto until a female voice puts his hatred transformation into a halt. Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki, appears. Kushina tells her story about how she and Minato Namikaze met in the Academy and her hatred towards her red hair. How she was dubbed as Tomato and then Red-hot Habañero. How the Hidden Cloud ninjas kidnapped her because of her special chakra and Minato coming to her aid; because of her red hair being used as trail. Minato praises her red hair and in that moment Kushina fell in love to Minato. She then entrusts Naruto that he will fulfill their dreams.
247	"Target: Nine Tails" "Nerawareta Kyūbi" (狙われた九尾)	February 2, 2012	June 21, 2014
Naruto defeats the Nine Tails, managing to extract its chakra and imprisoned the Nine Tails in a new seal. Kushina reveals to Naruto that she was the previous Nine Tails Jinchuriki. She also revealed her origin from the Hidden Eddy Village, which was highly recognized for its powerful sealing techniques and being close ally of the Hidden Leaf Village. Before Naruto's birth, Kushina is moved to a secret location along with the Third Hokage's wife Biwako, Taji, and ANBU to keep the Nine Tails's seal from breaking. However, the ANBU were all killed by Tobi as he infiltrated the venue.
248	"The Fourth Hokage's Death Match!" "Yondaime no Shitō!!" (四代目の死闘!!)	February 9, 2012	June 28, 2014
Kushina successfully delivers Naruto but their celebration comes short when Tobi suddenly appears, killing both Taji and Biwako and holding the newborn hostage. Though Minato quickly saves Naruto, Tobi succeeds in freeing the Nine Tails and taking control of the Tailed Beast with his Sharingan. Tobi then tries to eliminate Kushina, but she is quickly saved by Minato and left with her son as the Fourth Hokage pursues the masked ninja, who summons the Nine Tails to attack Konoha. As Minato arrives in Konoha and warps away the Nine Tails' Tailed Beast Ball, Tobi engages Minato in a battle of teleportation until Minato cleverly defeats his opponent with his Rasengan and applies the contract seal to remove control of the Nine Tails.
249	"Thank You" "'Arigatō'" (「ありがとう」)	February 9, 2012	June 28, 2014
Though freed from Tobi's control, the vengeful Nine Tails continues to wreak havoc as Hiruzen attempts to force the tailed beast out of the village. Luckily, Minato returns to the city and employs Gamabunta's assistance to restrain the Nine Tails long enough for him to teleport it along with his family to the outskirts of the village. As Kushina is too weak to absorb the tailed beast back into her body as she binds the monster in her chakra chains, Minato uses the Reaper Death Seal to take the yin half of the Nine Tails into himself while the weakened Tailed Beast is sealed within Naruto. When the Nine Tails makes a last ditch attempt to break free, Minato and Kushina sacrifice themselves to take a death blow meant for their son. After imprinting chakra-based manifestations of themselves to aid Naruto in taming the Nine Tails, Minato and Kushina bid their son farewell.
250	"Battle in Paradise! Odd Beast vs. The Monster!" "Chinjū VS Kaijin! Rakuen no Tatakai!" (珍獣VS怪人! 楽園の戦い!)	February 16, 2012	July 12, 2014
The chakra of Kushina finally departs from Naruto's psyche and Naruto promises himself that he will train hard and surpass all Hokages in pursuit of his dream to become the next Hokage. Naruto wakes up and activates his Nine Tails chakra mode, which allows him to sense negative energy from Samehada. As it turned out, Kisame used a decoy to take his place during the fight again A and Killer Bee while he hid within Samehada until the time is right. While taking Killer Bee's chakra, Kisame escapes with the intent to inform Tobi of the Jinchurikis' location. However, Kisame ends up facing Guy before being hit by the man's Hidora attack.
251	"The Man Named Kisame" "Kisame to Iu Otoko" (鬼鮫という男)	February 23, 2012	July 19, 2014
The after-effects of Guy's Hidora are felt throughout the island. Kisame is defeated, and Guy explains his technique. Yamato restrains him so Aoba can gather intel. But Kisame keeps himself from divulging intel on the Akatsuki by biting his tongue and then, knowing he cannot escape, creates a water dome around himself to have himself be eaten by summoned sharks. The others are impressed by Kisame's resolution, more so than by Guy as he finally acknowledges Kisame. However, when they open the scroll Kisame intended to deliver, they find themselves trapped in water prisons as summoned shark takes the scroll with the intel away.
252	"The Angelic Herald of Death" "Shi e Izanau Tenshi" (死へいざなう天使)	March 1, 2012	July 26, 2014
Having left the Akatsuki, Konan recollects her past until Tobi arrives to the Hidden Rain Village to retrieve Nagato's Rinnegan. After Konan explains Nagato's resting place is not in the village, Tobi battles her while revealing his role during Yahiko's leader in the Akatsuki and that he only came to reclaims the eye he gave to Nagato. Konan refuses, transforming into thousands of pieces of paper to self-destruct against Tobi, yet it fails and both survive. Konan unleashes a powerful paper technique that looks like a sea of paper beneath their feet.
253	"The Bridge to Peace" "Heiwa e no Kakehashi" (平和への懸け橋)	March 8, 2012	July 26, 2014
Konan uses her six hundred billion paper bombs against Tobi with the knowledge that his intangibility jutsu can not last forever. However, explaining he used Izanagi at the cost of his left eye, Tobi impales Konan before using his remaining Sharingan to learn the location of Nagato and Yahiko's tomb before ending her life. Once entering the shrine, Tobi obtains Nagato's Rinnegan before returning to the Akatsuki hideout where Zetsu presents Kisame's intel on Naruto's location.
254	"The Super Secret S-Rank Mission" "Doesu-kyū Gokuhi Ninmu" (ドS級極秘任務)	March 15, 2012	August 9, 2014
Naruto begins his top secret S-rank mission as an animal surveyor, though he doesn't know that the mission is a fake in order for him not to know the upcoming war. At the Akatsuki hideout, Tobi, Kabuto, and Zetsu enter a special room where the Gedo Statue rests on a top of a flower and beneath on its stem lies a clone of Hashirama Senju's body. Further beneath them is an army of 100,000 White Zetsus ready to be deployed against the Allied Shinobi Forces. At the Hidden Cloud Village, the Five Kage discuss their strategy as the Akatsuki now knows Naruto's whereabouts and Onoki volunteers to head to the island, where he intercepts Kabuto and the newly reanimated Deidara.
255	"The Artist Returns" "Geijutsuka Futatabi" (芸術家再び)	March 22, 2012	August 16, 2014
Kabuto and Deidara continue their assault on the island as they evade Onoki and his bodyguards Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi. Deidara detonates a huge bomb underneath the turtle to turn it upside down, immobilizing it temporarily. Kurotsuchi uses her Quicklime jutsu to ensnare Kabuto. Yamato, Motoi and Aoba head out of the chamber and confront Kabuto. Aoba tries to extract information from Kabuto, but Kabuto sheds his skin and escapes, capturing Yamato in the process.
256	"Assemble! Allied Shinobi Forces!" "Shūketsu! Shinobi Rengōgun!" (集結! 忍連合軍!)	March 29, 2012	August 23, 2014
Onoki transports the giant turtle safely back to the Hidden Cloud Village, while inside Killer Bee starts to train Naruto. At the outskirts of the Akatsuki hideout, Tokuma uses his Byakugan and discovers the White Zetsu Army beneath them then relays their discovery to the Five Kage. The Allied Shinobi Forces now assemble and are divided into five battle platoons based on their combat specialty, as well as 3 support platoons; Intelligence, Medical/Logistics and Reconnaissance. Gaara assumes the position of Captain of Batlle Squad Four, and Commander in Chief of the 5 battle units. Meanwhile at the Akatsuki hideout, Kabuto now summons his undead army composed of former members of Akatsuki, previous Kage, and other powerful ninja that include the Jinchuriki who died by the Akatsuki's actions. Furthermore, the White Zetsu Army's abilities are bolsters thanks to Yamato being secured below the Hashirama clone. With their forces White Zetsu and reanimated ninja assembled, Tobi and Kabuto leave the hideout to signify the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
257	"Meeting" "Deai" (出会い)	April 5, 2012	August 30, 2014
Years before the Fourth Great Ninja War, a young Naruto paints the villager's houses and runs away while hearing them complain. Later, when Hiruzen comes to his house to give him his allowance, Naruto asks him about his late parents. But the Third Hokage refuses to answer. A few years later, while in the Academy, Naruto meets Sasuke Uchiha and is continuously defeated by him while noticing the hatred in his eyes during one sparring session. Shortly after that, Naruto finds out that Sasuke is the only survivor of the Uchiha Clan Massacre. After graduating, Naruto and Sasuke are placed on the same team along with Sakura Haruno and manage to pass Kakashi's bell test. As they go to their mission to Land of Waves, they are attacked and Naruto gets injured. To everyone's dismay, Naruto pierces his own hand to remove the venom and vows to never need to be saved again.
258	"Rivals" "Raibaru" (ライバル)	April 12, 2012	September 6, 2014
During the Chunin Exams, Team 7 is ambushed by a ninja named Shiore, who is revealed to be Orochimaru in disguise as he managed to place his Curse Mark on Sasuke. During that time, unnerved by Naruto's courage while he was initially fearful for his life, Sasuke is further surprised when he sees Naruto defeat the Hidden Rain gennin while they were accompanying Kabuto. During the third phase of the exam, Sasuke confesses his desire to face Naruto in combat, and asks Kakashi to teach him the Chidori.
259	"Rift" "Kiretsu" (亀裂)	April 19, 2012	September 13, 2014
When the Chunin Exams by the invasion of the Hidden Sand in alliance to Orochimaru, Sasuke is overpowered by a jinchuriki named Gaara of the Sand who mocks his lack of hatred. This resulted in Sasuke being saved by Naruto as he manages to defeat Gaara. Later, while continuing his training, Sasuke learns of Itachi's location and tries to avenge his clan. Easily defeated by his brother, Sasuke is once again accused of lacking hatred and is saved by the legendary ninja Jiraiya. Upon being healed by Tsunade, Sasuke confronts Naruto to see whether he has the power to defeat him. Although the fight is stopped by Kakashi, Sasuke is once again surprised by the power of Naruto's newly learned Rasengan. That night, Sasuke is ambushed by Orochimaru's bodyguards, the Sound Four, who invite him to join Orochimaru and gain more power.
260	"Parting" "Ribetsu" (離別)	April 26, 2012	September 20, 2014
Sasuke leaves the village alongside the Sound Four to go to Orochimaru, with Naruto joining a retrieval team composed of its leader Shikamaru, his teammate Choji, Kiba, and Neji. Only Naruto is able to reach Sasuke as the other members of the retrieval group each end up fighting a member of the Sound Four, killing the remaining members and their fifth Kimimaro with the aid of Gaara and his siblings. Having gained new powers from the full potential of Orochimaru's Cursed Mark, Sasuke attempts to kill Naruto in a fight that results with the latter taps more into the Nine-Tails chakra. With Naruto and Sasuke at their peaks of power, the two unleash their strongest attacks with Sasuke the victor as he leaves to meet with Orochimaru. However, despite losing his friend, Naruto refuses to give up on Sasuke and intends to get him back.
261	"For My Friend" "Tomo no Tame ni" (友のために)	May 3, 2012	September 27, 2014
Kabuto mobilizes his undead army and Tobi mobilizes his White Zetsu Army underground. Anko Mitarashi tells her teammates to leave her and relay the intel to the Allied Shinobi Forces. However, she is attacked by Kabuto who manages to incapacitate her. Meanwhile at the Hidden Cloud Village, ninjas from different villages started arguing each other until Gaara gives a speech on how Naruto enabled him to discard his hatred and accept him as a friend. Gaara finishes by stating that they all stand as one shinobi to protect Naruto from the Akatsuki. The argument stops, ninjas start forgiving each other and everyone praise Gaara. After the speech, the Allied Shinobi Forces now mobilize towards the enemy.
262	"War Begins" "Kaisen!" (開戦!)	May 10, 2012	October 4, 2014
The Allied Shinobi Forces' Commando Unit, led by Kankuro, enters the enemy territory. The Undead Commando Unit captures Tokuma, Ranka and Muta. Kankuro and his men deploy a small trenched outpost to survey the environment until Muta appears in front of them, who happens to be attached to Sasori's chakra strings and planted with Deidara's bomb. Taji attempts to save Muta but Deidara detonates Muta and in a split second Ittan sinks their outpost with his Earth style jutsu to avoid the explosion. Tokuma and Ranka descend to attack Kankuro's unit but Omoi manages to cut Sasori's chakra strings, saving Tokuma and Ranka. Kankuro tugs Sasori down and Ittan raises their outpost. Kankuro tells Sasori that it is the first time he sees Sasori's real form, recalling their previous clash before summoning Sasori's puppet body to settle things.
263	"Sai and Shin" "Sai to Shin" (サイとシン)	May 17, 2012	October 11, 2014
As the battle between the two divisions gets under-way, Shin is sent in to battle Kankuro's Sasori puppet, and the clay Deidara set in Shin's stomach explodes. The explosion is stifled by Kankuro's puppet which encased Shin. Enraged by Deidara's reference to his brother as a bomb, Sai knocks Deidara and Sasori out of the air and into Kankuro's awaiting puppets. Shin sees the drawing of both him and Sai holding hands which frees his soul. Moved by Kankuro's speech of how he obtained immortality through the puppets he created, Sasori entrusts Kankuro with his Mother and Father puppets, and asks him to pass them down to the generations to come before his soul is also freed.
264	"Secrets of the Reanimation Jutsu" "Edo Tensei no Himitsu" (穢土転生の秘密)	May 24, 2012	October 18, 2014
Eight Tails tells Naruto about the limits of Tailed Beast chakra mode and Bee wants to train Naruto in how to use the Tailed Beast Bomb. At the outskirts of Mountain Graveyard, forced by Tobi to reveal its inner working, Kabuto demonstrates the Reanimation Jutsu by killing Torune and using an incapacitated Fu as the vessel for his reanimated ally. Kabuto also explains that he cannot summon the first four Hokages because their souls were now sealed by the Reaper Death Seal. Meanwhile, Ao detects a large number of White Zetsus moving underground. Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi use the Erupt jutsu to spit the White Zetsus out from the ground.
265	"An Old Nemesis Returns" "Shukuteki to no Saikai" (宿敵との再会)	May 31, 2012	October 25, 2014
Zaji, Omoi and Sai attack Zabuza and Haku from midair. Haku counterattacks Sai's group and brings them to the ground. As Zabuza, Haku, Pakura and Gari make their attack, Kakashi's division arrives and saves them. Kabuto becomes irritated by Zabuza and Haku's defiant emotions so he turns them into killing machines. Zabuza, Haku, Pakura and Gari start their attacks against Kakashi's division. To reinforce Zabuza's group, Kabuto summons the former members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
266	"The First and Last Opponent" "Saisho no Teki, Saigo no Teki" (最初の敵, 最後の敵)	June 7, 2012	November 1, 2014
Kakashi and his division continue their fight against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Suigetsu reveals to Jugo that he wants to reform his own Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and describes its former members including his brother Mangetsu with their corresponding blades they wield. As the mist gets thicker, Kakashi strategizes with a plan to bind Zabuza. Kakashi makes his attack against Zabuza but Haku blocks the attack. Kakashi recalls Naruto on their first mission as Naruto liked Haku and Zabuza because of their unique bond. Zabuza attacks Kakashi with his Executioner's blade and Kakashi evades even with Haku on his arm and having a sliced wound in his belly. Kakashi retaliates and successfully binds Zabuza.
267	"The Brilliant Military Advisor of the Hidden Leaf" "Konoha no Tensai Gunshi" (木ノ葉の天才軍師)	June 21, 2012	November 8, 2014
The Second Tsuchikage Mu, under Kabuto's control, summons the previous Kages. As Mu and the Second Mizukage argue about their previous duel, Gaara surveys them and is surprised to see his father, the Fourth Kazekage. Meanwhile at the coastline, Darui's division anticipates the arrival of White Zetsu troops as well as resurrected ninjas such as Kakuzu, Dan Kato, Hyuga Hizashi, and the Gold and Silver Brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku. At the headquarters, Nara Shikaku discusses his strategy in outgunning the White Zetsu troops and the Undead ninjas. While the Kage are impressed on Shikaku's plan, they also warn about Mu being a Kekkei Tota user that utilizes three chakra natures at the same time. Onoki decides to join Gaara's division to counter Mu.
268	"Battleground!" "Sorezore no Gekisen!!" (それぞれの激戦!!)	June 28, 2012	November 15, 2014
The Feudal Lords gather at a fortified palace, and Black Zetsu arrives outside. Black Zetsu infiltrates the fortress but the Lords were fake. Black Zetsu escapes and maintains his surveillance on the ground. Meanwhile at the coastline, White Zetsus and the undead ninjas start their assault. Hyuga Hizashi confronts his brother Hiashi and reiterates that his death is for the sake of the entire Hyuga clan. At the desert, orders from headquarters arrive telling Shikamaru to assist Darui's division and Temari becomes worried as they're facing a powerful Kekkei Tota shinobi. Onoki arrives at Gaara's position to assist the Fourth Division. Still at the coastline, Darui now faces Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
269	"Forbidden Words" "Enu Jī Wādo" (NGワード)	July 5, 2012	November 22, 2014
The Raikage talks to Tsunade about the brothers, and tells her how they were two of the most feared criminals in the Hidden Cloud and how they left the Second Hokage on the verge of death. He tells her that Kinkaku and Ginkaku use the weapons used by Sage of the Six Paths and that they are filled with the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra. Meanwhile on the coastline, Samui and the Atsui come to Darui to help him fight the brothers. Kinkaku and Ginkaku use their ninja tools: the Kokinjo (which draws the spirit word out), the Shichiseiken (which curses the spirit word), the Benihisago (which records the spirit word and seals the speaker within), and the Bashosen (which conjures chakra of all 5 natures). They succeed in capturing and sealing Atsui and Samui within the Benihisago. Darui then is almost drawn into the Benihisago, but before he is his spirit word changes. Then he takes the ninja tools from them and uses the tools to trap Ginkaku inside the Benihisago. Kinkaku gets angry and releases his Nine-Tails chakra, draping him in a chakra shroud just like Naruto's.
270	"Golden Bonds" "Konjiki no Kizuna" (金色の絆)	July 19, 2012	November 29, 2014
Having transformed into a pseudo-Nine-Tails in response to his brother being sealed, Kinkaku starts his rampage with Darui's division, unable to contend with the stronger foe despite their attempts. At the headquarters, Mabui, A's handpicked secretary, uses her object teleportation jutsu to transfer the sealing pot known as the Kohaku no Johei to Darui. Still at the coastline, the Kohaku no Johei arrives and so is the half of the Fourth Division to assist Darui's division. Darui manages to seal Kinkaku with the help of Ino-Shika-Cho. But Kakuzu arrives to face Ino-Shika-Cho while telling them that they also had their gold and silver pieces, their revived mentor Asuma and Tsunade's reanimated lover Dan Kato, on their side.
271	"Road to Sakura"	July 26, 2012	December 6, 2014
After strolling through the outlying forest of the village, Ino looks up and sees Sakura falling through the sky. She brings her back to Konoha and Tsunade checks on Sakura, who determines she has developed amnesia. As they go through the village, and encounter the other members of the Konoha 11, Sakura notes that they look vaguely familiar but not as how she remembered them. Later when Sakura realizes that she had lost a necklace of a cherry blossom she had around her neck, she and Ino begin searching frantically for it. Her parents, Kizashi and Mebuki end up finding a dazed Sakura and her father returns the necklace to her. Remembering parts of her past, Sakura runs to embrace her parents, crying. Though this puzzles her parents greatly, they depart telling her to come home later. Sakura ends up telling Ino that it was likely that she was not the Sakura she knew before disappearing again in a bright light, leaving Ino severely confused.
272	"Mifune vs. Hanzo" "Mifune vs Hanzō" (ミフネVS半蔵)	August 2, 2012	December 13, 2014
As the Surprise Attack Division attempt to retreat to the rendezvous point, they are chased by Akatsuki's reinforcements. Summoning his salamander Ibuse, Hanzō orders it to attack. Unleashing a paralysing mist of poison, the division is rendered paralyzed and left at Hanzō's mercy. However, Mifune and his division soon arrive and he deflects the would-be devastating blow. Conversing about the past and the paths they had chosen to walk, as the two trade blows, Mifune is able to break Hanzō's sickle and respirator. Remembering his encounter with Mifune in life, Hanzō moves towards his broken kusarigama and using the blade commits seppuku, telling Mifune that he entrusts him with his conviction. This act cuts the poisonous sac that had been in Hanzō's body since he was a child, and causes the poison to leak out and evaporate. Shocking Kabuto Yakushi, Hanzō's body ceases to respond to his orders and the legendary shinobi is soon bound and sealed.
273	"True Kindness" "Hontō no Yasashisa" (本当 の優しさ)	August 9, 2012	December 20, 2014
Izumo and Kotetsu arrive and manage to bind Kakuzu. As they ask Ino-Shika-Cho to help seal the constrained Kakuzu, Shikaku interferes and tells them to handle Kakuzu with Darui whilst Ino-Shika-Cho confront their sensei Asuma Sarotobi. They recall their previous spar with Asuma when they are genin and Asuma lecturing Choji about his kindness. Shikamaru also recollects his past in protecting his comrades and Ino thinking about Asuma's last words which she must guide Shikamaru and Choji. Other ninjas try to subdue Asuma but they failed and the Ino-Shika-Cho arrives to face their sensei. They trade attacks but when Choji is about to punch Asuma, he suddenly stops and says that he cannot hurt Asuma. After a flashback of Choji, Asuma begs the trio especially for Choji to stop him.
274	"The Complete Ino-Shika-Cho Formation!" "Kanpeki na Inoshikachō!!" (完璧な猪鹿蝶!!)	August 9, 2012	December 27, 2014
The reunion of Ino-Shika-Cho to their sensei Asuma continues as Choji somewhat loses his will to fight. Ino manages to enter Choji's mind and tells that the meaning of their earrings that Asuma gave to them years ago. After Shikamaru recalling Asuma's last words, he scolded Choji and telling that they are not the ones to be protected but to stand up and protect others. Choji continues to recollect his past, about his kindness and the oath of being the next head of the Akamichi clan, and the butterfly who started as a simple yet kind caterpillar. Filled by his resolve, Choji becomes slim and a blue wing-like aura appears on his back. the trio start their attack to Asuma and they were successful. As Asuma is about to be sealed, he tells the trio that their formation is successfully complete.
275	"A Message from the Heart" "Kokoro no Naka no Tegami" (心の中の手紙)	August 16, 2012	January 3, 2015
Naruto leaves the training hall but is stopped by shinobi guards. Aburame Shibi insists Naruto go back. Iruka arrives and attempts to fool Naruto. However, Naruto does not believe Iruka, and manages to leave the cave using his Sage Mode. Naruto is restrained via a shadow jutsu as he senses the war and everything, and Iruka continues to convince Naruto. Iruka gives Naruto's headband and attempts to restrain Naruto, but Naruto overpowers the group and leaves. Naruto finds a letter from Iruka in his headband, telling him to return alive. Iruka asks Bee to protect him. Bee follows Naruto and they destroy the invisible blockade created by the Barrier Corps.

References

General

• "Episodes 463-476" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
• "Episodes 477-488" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
• "Episodes 489-501" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
• "Trailer" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved October 24, 2011.

Specific

1. スタッフ・キャスト [Staff.Cast] (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
2. "Episodes 463-476" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
3. "Naruto.com, Crunchyroll, Hulu Begin Shippūden Streams". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
4. "NARUTO-ナルト- 疾風伝 九尾掌握と因果なる邂逅の章" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
5. "NARUTO-ナルト- 疾風伝 特別編　～宿命の二人～" (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. Retrieved September 12, 2012.