Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf
Naruto - S2 - E88
After passing stage one of the training, Naruto moves into stage two: power training. Jiraiya realizes that, like him, Naruto has a hard time concentrating, so he paints a spiral in the palm of Naruto's hand to help him to focus. With the aid of the spiral and a quick flashback to Iruka-sensei, Naruto completes stage two. Meanwhile, Tsunade's luck has become uncommonly good, which worries her. After being talked into sightseeing by her assistant, Tsunade meets Orochimaru...and she doesn't look at all pleased.
Naruto: Season 2 - 52 Episode s
2x53 - Long Time No See: Jiraiya Returns!
October 8, 2003
While Ebisu trains Naruto at a hotspring, he spots someone trying to peep on the women bathing! Ebisu attacks, but it doesn't go quite as planned. Naruto then demands that the stranger become his teacher instead, but he's going to need some convincing. Does Naruto have any special Jutsu for this situation?
2x54 - Summoning Jutsu; Wisdom of the Toad Sage!
October 15, 2003
While Jiraiya attempts to teach Naruto the Summoning Jutsu, while doing research as well, Dosu learns the hard way why Gaara is so dangerous. Meanwhile, Baki and Kabuto secretly meet and reveal a sinister plot against Konoha. When Hayate discovers this dark secret, he attempts to warn the Hokage. However, he'll have to get through Baki first!
2x55 - A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of Hope
October 22, 2003
Sakura goes to visit Sasuke and Lee in the hospital, along the way, she meets up with Ino and the two make the trip together. Lee tries to resume his training with limited success, making Sakura worry more about him and Sasuke.
2x56 - Live or Die: Risk It All to Win It All!
October 29, 2003
Since Naruto is having little to no success at summoning frogs, Jiraiya figures that if Naruto's to learn how summon Kyubi's chakra, he's going to need to be put into a life-threating situation. After having Naruto do a bunch of tasks, he throws Naruto off a cliff. Naruto's only hope of survival lies within an encounter with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox himself. But, will Kyubi be willing to help him?
2x57 - He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!
November 5, 2003
Overjoyed at his success, Naruto manages to enrage Gamabunta. With him not willing to accept that Naruto was able to summon him, Naruto challenges Gamabunta to accept him as his subordinate if he is able to stay on his back until sundown.
2x58 - Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed!
November 12, 2003
Due to the events with Gamabunta, Naruto is now stuck in the hospital. Shikamaru unexpectedly pays him a visit, saying the two of them are the types who never get girls to visit them. Meanwhile, Gaara approaches an unconscious Rock Lee, with the full intention of taking his life. Luckily for Lee, Naruto and Shikamaru are there to protect him. However, can they save even themselves after learning Gaara's shocking secret? What is it that Naruto has realized about Gaara?
2x59 - The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!
November 19, 2003
Waking up late, Naruto hurries to the stadium where the Chuunin matches will be held, along the way he stops at his old training ground and meets up with Hinata. Naruto tells Hinata that he's afraid he'll lose, but with Hinata's encouragement and sort-of-confession of her feelings, Naruto is filled with renewed confidence and proceeds to the stadium leaving a shellshocked Hinata in his wake. Now Naruto must try to make it the stadium before it's too late, and Konohamaru has a plan to help him out.
2x60 - Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Jutsu!
November 26, 2003
The opening ceremony to the Final Matches begins and Sasuke is missing, worrying Naruto. The ceremony ends and Naruto starts his fight with Neji. Will Naruto's confidence lead him to a victory or are Neji's skills to much for him? And where is Sasuke?
2x61 - Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot!
December 3, 2003
Naruto begins his assault with his Shadow Clones but Neji analyses Naruto's actions and determines what he believes to be the real one. Unable to figure out why Naruto won't admit defeat, he takes off his headband and reveals a mysterious mark on his forehead. What is the truth about his hatred towards the main family of the Hyuuga Clan?
2x62 - A Failure's True Power
December 10, 2003
When it looks as if Naruto can't win, Neji continues to tell him that he cannot change his fate and that he has no idea what it feels like to carry a seal that cannot be removed. Naruto thinks back about his childhood and how he was treated because of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. However, that same curse may prove to be his only chance at winning...
2x63 - Hit It or Quit It: The Final Rounds Get Complicated!
December 17, 2003
With Sasuke still absent, and everyone anxiously anticipating his match against Gaara, the tournament is forced to move on to the next round. Meanwhile, Neji learns the shocking truth about his father.
2x64 - Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy!
December 24, 2003
Shikamaru takes on Temari, only he doesn't want to fight. Can the lazy Shikamaru even last the round? Or is there more to Shikamaru than meets the eye?
2x65 - Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand
January 7, 2004
It's time for Sasuke's match against Gaara, only Sasuke has yet to show up. Normally they'd disqualify him, but everyone's anxiously awaiting the match. Therefore, they give Sasuke a time limit before disqualifying him. As time slowly begins to run out, only one question remains on everyone's mind...where's Sasuke?
2x66 - Bushy Brow's Jutsu: Sasuke Style!
January 14, 2004
Sasuke's match against Gaara finally begins! Gaara seems to have the upper hand at the beginning, until Sasuke shows off his newly found taijutsu techniques. Gaara is reliving the battle against Rock Lee all over again, only this time he's facing an opponent who can use more than simple taijutsu attacks.
2x67 - Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!
January 14, 2004
With Gaara's ultimate defense in place, Sasuke's only hope of winning lies within the move Kakashi taught him...Chidori. But, how will Gaara react when Sasuke causes him to bleed?
2x68 - Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!
January 28, 2004
Sasuke's match is interrupted when Orochimaru puts his plan into action. Temari and Kankuro are ordered to get Gaara to safety until he recovers, leaving Sasuke to chase after them. War has begun!
2x69 - Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!
February 4, 2004
Knowing that Sasuke is in over his head, Kakashi sends Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru, being guided by a dog named Pakkun, to stop Sasuke from pursuing Gaara.
2x70 - A Shirker's Call to Action: Layabout No More!
February 11, 2004
Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Pakkun are being chased down by several Sound ninja. Shikamaru decides to stop and try to hold them off so the others can catch up to Sasuke without fear of pursuit. Shikamaru is the logical choice because of his Shadow Possession Jutsu...needless to say, Shikamaru's not too thrilled by this.
2x71 - An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!
February 18, 2004
The battle of kings has begun as Orochimaru has summoned some unexpected help. How can the Third Hokage handle this uncomfortable situation? Meanwhile, Sasuke finally catches up with Kakurou, Gaara and Temari...
2x72 - A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!
February 25, 2004
While Naruto and Sakura continue to catch up to Sasuke, Temari trys to stall Sasuke long enough for Kankuro to get Gaara to safety, but Sasuke doesn't have time to waste on her! Meanwhile, The Third Hokage continues his battle with Orochimaru and is ready to use a move that not even he knows...
2x73 - Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal!
March 3, 2004
An unlikely ally appears to help Sasuke and allows him to continue to pursue Gaara. Meanwhile, the Hokage prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to rid his village of Orochimaru!
2x74 - Astonishing Truth! Gaara's Identity Emerges!
March 10, 2004
While Shino and Kankuro fight the match they should've fought back during the Chuunin Exam, Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun slowly catch up to Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke has finally caught up with Gaara and Temari, but is he ready to face true horror when Gaara reveals his demon form?
2x75 - Sasuke's Decision: Pushed to the Edge!
March 17, 2004
Sasuke struggles to keep up with Gaara's monstrous capacity. Only able to use Chidori twice in normal circumstances, Sasuke remembers that tragic day when his family died and realises he must risk the use of Chidori beyond his limit if he is to defeat Gaara. That is, if he can...
2x76 - Assassin of the Moonlit Night
March 24, 2004
As Sasuke is about to be defeated, Naruto and Sakura show up to save him. With this Gaara begins to have flashbacks of his childhood. What happened in Gaara's past to make him experience so much suffering?
2x77 - Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of Gaara
March 31, 2004
Gaara continues to talk about his past. When Gaara states that Naruto can't become stronger when he fights for everyone else, Naruto recalls that if he didn't meet his friends, he would be the same as Gaara. Realizing that he has to protect his friends, Naruto overcomes his fear and decides to take on Gaara.
2x78 - Naruto's Ninja Handbook
April 7, 2004
Naruto and Gaara continue their fight. Naruto begins to get an advantage, and Gaara transforms into the final form of Shukaku of the Sand. As he begins to put the squeeze on Naruto, Naruto summons Gamabunta Oyabun, and his comeback begins. Once again, Naruto begins to get an advantage, but Gaara casts the technique of fake sleep, releasing the full power of Shukaku. Now that the demon is free, what will Naruto do?
2x79 - Beyond the Limit of Darkness and Light
April 14, 2004
Transformed into Kyubi, Naruto and Gamabunta prepare to stop Shukaku by waking Gaara up. Though they succeed, the battle is far from over as Gaara won't stop until Naruto is dead. Naruto and Gaara prepare for their final attacks. Meanwhile, Sarutobi continues trying to defeat Orochimaru. And even though Sarutobi isn't strong enough to kill Orochimaru, he does have enough strength to take away Orochimaru's most prized possession...the use of his arms!
2x80 - The Third Hokage, Forever...
April 21, 2004
As the war draws to a close, Gaara admits his defeat to Naruto, and Orochimaru is forced to retreat as Sarutobi took away his arms. Now, all of the Konoha shinobi gather together to pay their respects to the person whom they respected the most...Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
2x81 - Return of the Morning Mist
April 28, 2004
Two mysterious ninja infiltrate Konoha, and one of them bares the Sharingan. Just what are these two after? Why has Itachi Uchiha returned to Konoha?
2x82 - Eye to Eye: Sharingan vs. Sharingan!
May 5, 2004
Kakashi takes on Itachi, with both of them using the Sharingan. However, Kakashi soon realizes that he stands no chance against the legendary ninja. Itachi reveals that he has not come for his little brother, but instead he's come to do something else...abduct Naruto, and Kyubi as well!
2x83 - Jiraiya: Naruto's Potential Disaster!
May 12, 2004
Jiraiya and Naruto begin their search for Tsunade, but are constantly sidetracked by Jiraiya's peeping and hitting on pretty girls. Jiraiya tells Naruto some stories about the 3rd and 4th Hokages. Meanwhile, Sasuke learns that his brother, Itachi, is after Naruto and goes to warn him.
2x84 - Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!
May 19, 2004
Sasuke remembers the day that Itachi single-handedly wiped out the entire Uchiha clan as he desperately searches for Naruto. However, Itachi and Kisame have already found him.
2x85 - Hate Among the Uchihas: The Last of the Clan
May 26, 2004
Jiraiya and Naruto look on as Sasuke takes on Itachi alone. However, when the young ninja is severely outclassed, Jiraiya is forced to step in. Itachi and Kisame try to flee, but Jiraiya isn't about to let them get away so easily.
2x86 - A New Training Begins: I Will Be Strong
June 2, 2004
Now that Sasuke is in safe hands, Naruto and Jiraiya can continue their search for Tsunade. When they arrive at a city with a festival on the way, Jiraiya and Naruto have some fun, at least until Naruto puts a stain on a man's shirt. Jiraiya uses a new technique that easily defeats the man and offers to teach it to Naruto. What is this new technique and can Naruto master it?
2x87 - Keep on Training: Pop Goes the Water Balloon!
June 9, 2004
Jiraiya gives Naruto the task of rotating the water in a balloon until it pops. Naruto is confident that he will accomplish this stage of the training by night, but soon learns it's not as easy as expected.
2x88 - Focal Point: The Mark of the Leaf
June 16, 2004
After passing stage one of the training, Naruto moves into stage two: power training. Jiraiya realizes that, like him, Naruto has a hard time concentrating, so he paints a spiral in the palm of Naruto's hand to help him to focus. With the aid of the spiral and a quick flashback to Iruka-sensei, Naruto completes stage two. Meanwhile, Tsunade's luck has become uncommonly good, which worries her. After being talked into sightseeing by her assistant, Tsunade meets Orochimaru...and she doesn't look at all pleased.
2x89 - An Impossible Choice: The Pain Within Tsunade's Heart
June 23, 2004
Naruto continues his training of the Rasengan, having mastered the stages of spin and power. The final stage proves to be the most difficult: control. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Kabuto accost Tsunade and ask her to restore Orochimaru's arms. If she restores Orochimaru's arms, he promises to use his Rebirth of the Impure World kinjutsu to revive her lost lover and little brother.
2x90 - Unforgivable! A Total Lack of Respect!
July 7, 2004
Jiraiya and Naruto catch up to Tsunade, whereupon she learns that Konoha wants her to be the 5th Hokage. She refuses the title, angering Naruto, who mistakes her for being a weakling. Naruto learns first-hand how strong she really is. Naruto decides now is the time to try out the Rasengan, only he hasn't perfected it yet.
2x91 - Inheritance! The Necklace of Death!
July 14, 2004
Naruto makes a bet with Tsunade, that if he can master the Rasengan in one week, she'll give him a necklace belonging the to the First Hokage. However, Shizune reveals some startling information. Everybody, except for Tsunade, who's worn that necklace has died the next day!
2x92 - A Dubious Offer! Tsunade's Choice!
July 21, 2004
While Naruto continues to try and master the third step, Tsunade continues to think about Orochimaru's offer. Jiraiya tries to convince her by taking her out for a drink, only she slipped a paralyzing potion into his drink while he wasn't looking. Will Tsunade agree to Orochimaru's offer? And will Naruto master the Rasengan before the week is up?
2x93 - Breakdown! The Deal is Off!
July 28, 2004
Because Orochimaru lied to her about not attacking Konoha, Tsunade begins her onslaught against him and Kabuto. Kabuto eats a food pill and begins to attack Tsunade with his medical techniques but are they enough to defeat her? Will Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto show up in time?
2x94 - Attack! Fury of the Rasengan!
August 4, 2004
With Tsunade still paralized with fear and Naruto being a low level ninja, it is up to Shizune and Jiraiya to defeat Kabuto and Orochimaru. Orochimaru and Kabuto summon two giant snakes while Jiraiya summons Gamakichi, who does nothing. Naruto tries to help Jiraya, but he too only summons a small frog that also does nothing. Orochimaru and Kabuto attack and Shizune is easily defeated. Naruto tries Rasengan but fails. Can he master the technique before Kabuto does anything to Tsunade? How far will he go to master it?
2x95 - The Fifth Hokage! A Life on the Line!
August 11, 2004
Naruto finally lands a Rasengan into Kabuto's stomach, but not before Kabuto assures Naruto's certain death. Can Tsunade save him and protect him from Orochimaru?
2x96 - Deadlock! Sannin Showdown!
August 11, 2004
With Tsunade in her current conidtion, and Jiraiya still under the effects of the drug, Tsunade and Jiraiya must work together to defeat Orochimaru. And with all three ninja having summoned their signature beasts, it's sure to be one heck of a battle!
2x97 - Kidnapped! Naruto's Hot Spring Adventure!
August 18, 2004
The group are on their way back to Konoha when they stop at a town with hotsprings. Unknown to them they are being watched by men looking for Tsunade. Naruto's room gets raided and the necklace he was given goes missing with nothing but a ransom note left behind. What does it all mean? Can Naruto get the necklace back and why are they looking for Tsunade in the first place?
2x98 - Tsunade's Warning: Ninja No More!
August 25, 2004
Naruto, Tsunade, and Shizune finally return to Konoha so Tsunade can take over and become Hokage. Konohamaru finds out that Tsunade is the Fifth but refuses to believe it. Naruto then takes Tsunade to the hospital so she can heal Sasuke, Kakashi, and Lee. She heals Sasuke and Kakashi just fine...However, her diagnosis of Rock Lee has heartbreaking consequences for him and his future.
2x99 - The Will of Fire Still Burns!
September 1, 2004
Konohamaru locks himself in the office used by the 3rd to stop them from replacing his grandfather, the previous Hokage. Tsunade spends the day locked out of her office and researches a way to heal Rock Lee so he has a better chance of surviving the operation,
2x100 - Sensei and Student: The Bond of a Shinobi!
September 8, 2004
As Lee decides whether or not to go through with the operation, Gai decides to give him some motivation. Meanwhile, Tsunade frantically struggles to increase the operation's success rate.
2x101 - Gotta See! Gotta Know! Kakashi-Sensei's True Face!
September 15, 2004
After their mission, Naruto persuades Sakura and Sasuke to help him unmask their sensei, Kakashi. However, Squad 7 soon finds out that this is easier said than done...
2x102 - Mission: Help an Old Friend in the Land of Tea
September 22, 2004
Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke find out their newest mission will be without Kakashi who has responsibilities elsewhere. Tsunade sends them to the Tea Country to protect someone, but the details are vague at best. Along the way they meet Idate Morino who causes the group a lot of trouble, especially when they discover who they have to protect!
2x103 - The Race is On! Trouble on the High Seas!
September 29, 2004
The trio continue to follow Idate while fending off attacks by three Shinobi sent to kill him. They find out later just how important winning this race is to the Wasabi clan's future...
2x104 - Run Idate, Run! Nagi Island Awaits!
October 13, 2004
While the Shinobi that is working for Wasarabi begins to beat up Idate, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura finally reach the same island. However, some old enemies appear to get in their way once again! Will they manage to find Idate and rescue him before its too late?