Naruto Columns
10/20/2022
[NARUTO 20th Anniversary Column] Retracing the NARUTO Anime's Ninja Way No.2
In this column, we'll be looking back at the NARUTO anime to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first broadcast on TV in Japan! Join this writer, a fellow fan from the NARUTO generation, as we retrace the series from its humble beginnings to its climactic conclusion! This article revisits the Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village and Search for Tsunade arcs!
Fighting to Protect: Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Arc!
The Chunin Exams come to a sudden halt as Orochimaru and the Hidden Sand ninja commence their attack on the Hidden Leaf Village.
As skirmishes erupt throughout the village, two fateful battles unfold that will determine the course of the conflict.
As skirmishes erupt throughout the village, two fateful battles unfold that will determine the course of the conflict.
Unparalleled Skills: Hiruzen VS Orochimaru!!
In this clash between a master and his former student, the Third Hokage Hiruzen goes head-to-head with one of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru!
Orochimaru uses the Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation to call the First Hokage and Second Hokage's souls from the afterlife.
Orochimaru uses the Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation to call the First Hokage and Second Hokage's souls from the afterlife.
This battle makes clear just what level of shinobi a Hokage is, showcasing the immense power possessed by those who hold the title, a position everyone in the village respects and what Naruto aspires to be. Fire style, water style, and earth style jutsu fly about, and even the First Hokage's unique wood style makes an appearance. You can't help but be in awe of the many high-level ninjutsu displayed during this intense battle.
Plus, Hiruzen uses a Summoning Jutsu to bring forth the Monkey King Enma, and together they proceed to demonstrate powerful taijutsu.
But the jutsu showcasing comes to an end. Hiruzen activates the Sealing Jutsu: Reaper Death Seal, which takes the user's life upon completion. He seals the First Hokage and Second Hokage, and tries to drag Orochimaru along as well. However, he doesn't have enough strength left to completely seal Orochimaru, and the fight locks in a stalemate.
The Pain of Loneliness: Battle Against Gaara!!
While Hiruzen's deathmatch continues, Naruto and his team chase after Gaara.
Sasuke, who had a head start on the others, reaches Gaara first and engages him in combat.
Sasuke, who had a head start on the others, reaches Gaara first and engages him in combat.
Shukaku's power versus Chidori, both Gaara and Sasuke use their most powerful attacks in a fierce, life-or-death fight.
Gaara fans the flames of Sasuke's hatred, driving him to exceed his limits by using Chidori once again!!
But even when the power of the Curse Mark leaks out, it still isn't enough to defeat Gaara. Sasuke, no longer able to fight, cannot escape death...
And right at that moment, Naruto rushes onto the scene!!
But even when the power of the Curse Mark leaks out, it still isn't enough to defeat Gaara. Sasuke, no longer able to fight, cannot escape death...
And right at that moment, Naruto rushes onto the scene!!
Overwhelmed by Gaara's murderous aura, Naruto's first instinct is to run, but he cannot abandon Sasuke and Sakura...and as he realizes that Gaara is tormented by the same loneliness that he himself barely escaped, he becomes more and more determined to win at any cost.
"JUST AGAINST THIS GUY...
I DON'T WANT TO LOSE TO HIM EVEN IF I END UP DYING!!"
Naruto's Whirling Swirling Ninja Handbook!!
Using the Shadow Clone Jutsu, 1,000 Narutos fill the forest!!
A barrage of 2,000 blows hits Gaara all at once!
A barrage of 2,000 blows hits Gaara all at once!
Overwhelmed by Naruto's attacks, Gaara completes his transformation into Shukaku, but Naruto summons the giant toad chief Gamabunta and fights back!
Gigantic Creatures Go Head-to-Head!
Gigantic Creatures Go Head-to-Head!
The brawl between two mighty creatures slices through massive trees and crumbles the earth!
The wind and water from the two behemoths' jutsu collides, fiercer than any storm!!
The wind and water from the two behemoths' jutsu collides, fiercer than any storm!!
There's no doubt that everyone—including the audience—is blown away by this battle!
"WHERE TREE LEAVES DANCE...
ONE SHALL FIND FLAMES...
THE FIRE'S SHADOW WILL ILLUMINATE THE VILLAGE...
...AND ONCE AGAIN TREE LEAVES SHALL BUD ANEW."
As Naruto deals one last blow to Gaara, Hiruzen's battle with Orochimaru also comes to a close.
The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village arc ends with the passing of the great Third Hokage, his "Will of Fire" inherited by the next generation.
The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village arc ends with the passing of the great Third Hokage, his "Will of Fire" inherited by the next generation.
The Journey to Find the Next Hokage: Search for Tsunade Arc!
The Village Hidden in the Leaves mourns its leader, the Third Hokage Hiruzen.
While still reeling from the suffering and destruction wrought by the conflict, the village must face two new problems.
While still reeling from the suffering and destruction wrought by the conflict, the village must face two new problems.
"Akatsuki" Emerges!
Two members of Akatsuki, an organization that has shaken the shinobi world for years, arrive in the Hidden Leaf Village.
The two members, Sasuke's brother Itachi and former Hidden Mist ninja Kisame, are confronted by Asuma and Kurenai, and a battle ensues. After Kakashi arrives to back up the two Jonin, the outlook of the fight seems promising, but then Itachi uses his Mangekyo Sharingan to trap Kakashi in a powerful genjutsu: "Tsukuyomi, Nightmare Realm".
The two members, Sasuke's brother Itachi and former Hidden Mist ninja Kisame, are confronted by Asuma and Kurenai, and a battle ensues. After Kakashi arrives to back up the two Jonin, the outlook of the fight seems promising, but then Itachi uses his Mangekyo Sharingan to trap Kakashi in a powerful genjutsu: "Tsukuyomi, Nightmare Realm".
"FOR THE NEXT 72 HOURS...
YOU WILL BE CONTINUALLY STABBED OVER AND OVER AGAIN..."
In a world drained of color, Kakashi's screams echo…
The artistry of this traumatic scene gives viewers a true sense of the horrors inflicted by the Tsukuyomi genjutsu.
Kakashi is rendered unable to fight, but Guy's arrival convinces Itachi and Kisame to withdraw.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Naruto set off on their journey in search of the third member of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade, in an attempt to have her take the position of Fifth Hokage!
The artistry of this traumatic scene gives viewers a true sense of the horrors inflicted by the Tsukuyomi genjutsu.
Kakashi is rendered unable to fight, but Guy's arrival convinces Itachi and Kisame to withdraw.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya and Naruto set off on their journey in search of the third member of the legendary Sannin, Tsunade, in an attempt to have her take the position of Fifth Hokage!
Sasuke's Revenge
Sasuke sprints off to find Naruto and Jiraiya upon learning that Itachi was in the village searching for Naruto. Sasuke launches himself at Itachi, attacking with the full force of Chidori, but instead of achieving his revenge he is utterly and brutally defeated.
Jiraiya's intervention forces Itachi and Kisame to retreat once more, but Sasuke remains unconscious, severely injured by Itachi's physical and mental assault.
Finding Tsunade has become even more important to Naruto now that her medical ninjutsu skills are needed to treat Sasuke. He recommits himself to the search, setting off once more with Jiraiya.
Finding Tsunade has become even more important to Naruto now that her medical ninjutsu skills are needed to treat Sasuke. He recommits himself to the search, setting off once more with Jiraiya.
"Rasengan" Training Begins!!
Jiraiya trains Naruto while they travel, and Naruto begins his endeavors to master what will become one of his signature jutsu: "Rasengan"!!
I can still recall mimicking Naruto's water balloon and rubber ball training as a child, so these scenes are incredibly nostalgic for me!
Meeting Tsunade!
After hearing Tsunade has been sighted in Tanzaku Town, Jiraiya and Naruto rush to the scene...one step behind Orochimaru, who has his own reasons for contacting her.
Tsunade wavers between Orochimaru's offer to revive her deceased loved ones in exchange for healing his arms, and Jiraiya's request that she return to the village and serve as the Fifth Hokage.
"TO BE HOKAGE IS MY DREAM!"
When Tsunade sees Naruto's passionate dedication to becoming Hokage, she can't help but recall her younger brother and the love of her life, who both pursued that same dream before they were killed. Rediscovering her own sense of purpose, and feelings she buried long ago, Tsunade rejects Orochimaru's offer!
And so their battle begins.
And so their battle begins.
Jiraiya, Naruto, and Shizune finally arrive, and the fight's intensity skyrockets!
While Jiraiya deals with Orochimaru, Naruto and Shizune face off against Kabuto.
Even when confronted by Kabuto's vastly superior skills, Naruto continues to fight with unwavering resolve.
Even when confronted by Kabuto's vastly superior skills, Naruto continues to fight with unwavering resolve.
"UNTIL I BECOME A HOKAGE...
THERE'S NO WAY I'M GONNA DIE!!"
"RASENGAN! SPIRAL CHAKRA SPHERE!!"
Naruto succeeds in creating a true Rasengan at last!
He uses the jutsu to defeat Kabuto, inspiring Tsunade and spurring her into action.
He uses the jutsu to defeat Kabuto, inspiring Tsunade and spurring her into action.
"FROM HERE ON OUT...
IT'S MY LIFE ON THE LINE!!"
"THAT'S BECAUSE...
I'M KONOHAGAKURE'S...FIFTH HOKAGE!!"
Toad. Snake. Slug.
Each of the Sannin summons an enormous creature to join the fray, and the conflict's scale becomes a thing of epic proportions.
Each of the Sannin summons an enormous creature to join the fray, and the conflict's scale becomes a thing of epic proportions.
Tsunade deals the final blow that brings the Sannin showdown to a close.
Wounded, Orochimaru retreats, and Tsunade declares her intention to serve as the next Hokage.
Wounded, Orochimaru retreats, and Tsunade declares her intention to serve as the next Hokage.
"FROM NOW ON, I WILL BE THE PROTECTOR...
I'M THE FIFTH HOKAGE."
That's all for this time! Naruto's grown quite a bit through the events of these first two articles.
The next article will be published on October 27th (JST) and cover the Sasuke Retrieval arc through the end of the pre-Shippuden series!
The next article will be published on October 27th (JST) and cover the Sasuke Retrieval arc through the end of the pre-Shippuden series!
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