The time has finally come! Now that Jiraiya's returned, Naruto says his goodbyes and prepares to leave Konoha to begin his training.

Even with his chakra so low, Gaara fights the Shitenshounin leader. When he fails and is trapped, Naruto arrives to try and rescue him. But when the leader of Takumi Village, Seimei, is revived, can Naruto save Gaara before Shukaku takes complete control of him?

Shikamaru and Ino arrive to help to help out Temari against Kyaku, while Kiba and Choji are helping Kankuro fight against. However, Naruto and Lee find that Gaara is doing okay by himself. All seems to be going well and the gang seems to be winning. Shitenshounin unleashes an attack that shoots out a light beam which hits the others swords. This is when Neji notices that they are forming a water barrier. The water effects Gaara as it destroys all his sand and weakens him, everyone else is okay. Everyone resumes there fight with the Konoha and sand wining and Gaara continues after Matsuri. Everything seems to be going well, but what is this ultimate weapon that is about to be released?

Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro are after the people who kidnapped Matsuri. Along the way, they are attacked by the enemy ninja. At the same time, the Konoha ninja try to pay back the favor they owe.

A Sand shinobi, Matsuri, has been abducted by a mysterious ninja. In order to bring them bring back, Gaara must accept the mystery ninja's challenge. Can Naruto prevent this challenge ending in catastrophe?

Naruto and Menma manage to get Tsunade to let them go find Menma’s memories. However, they are forced to go with Neji and Tenten guarding them. On the way, they come across a burned-down village. There, they greet the villagers and ask them what happened. Unfortunately, the villagers aren’t too happy to see them.

Naruto rescues an injured kid who is an outsider to Konoha. Tsunade assigns Naruto to take care of the kid until he gets his memory back. What was this boy doing outside of Konoha, and why can’t he remember anything?