S19 • In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Path
20 episodes
Naruto and the Allied Shinobi manage to extract Obito’s Tailed Beasts, leaving Madara as the final foe to defeat. Obito realizes the error of his ways, but Black Zetsu prevents him from interfering. Nine Tails is extracted from Naruto, and he and Sasuke are left near death. In the midst of all this, the turbulent history of the Hyuga clan and events that took place in the Leaf Village while Naruto trained with Jiraya are revealed!
394The New Chunin Exams
The story travels back to the time after Sasuke's defection from the Leaf and before Naruto's return from his two-year training journey with Jiraiya.
395The Chunin Exams Begin!
The Hidden Leaf begin preparing for the Chunin Exams. Ino and Choji ask Sakura to join their three-man team as a stand-in for Shikamaru, who is already a chunin.
396The Three Questions
The Chunin Exams finally begin and the proctor for Round One is none other than Shikamaru!
397One Worthy As A Leader
The genin are unable to figure out the answer and start to panic.
398The Night Before the Second Exam
On the night before the Second Exam, the entrants gather in the cafeteria, and a brawl breaks out.
399Demon Desert Survival
The Second Exam finally begins! To pass this stage, each team must take possession of both the Heaven and Earth scrolls and make it to the designated site in the center of the Demon Desert within 72 hours.
400As a Taijutsu User
Noting the similarities of their circumstances, Lee is outraged at the ones who hurt and belittled Shira and sets out in pursuit!
401The Ultimate
Lee challenges Shira to a battle between taijutsu users!
402Escape vs. Pursuit
Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll!
403Unwavering Gutsiness
Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll!
404Tenten's Troubles
As the team prepares for dinner, Tenten pulls out a scroll that contains all the ingredients for okonomiyaki.
405The Imprisoned Pair
An ancient ruin in Demon Desert comes crumbling down during the battle for the scrolls.
406The Place Where I Belong
Ino, Sakura and Choji trudge across a desert under the blazing sun without any provisions. Ino and Sakura are arguing when a giant scorpion attacks and injures Sakura.
407The Yamanaka Clan's Secret Ninjutsu
As Ino and her team head toward an oasis, they are attacked by a team of Sand Shinobi comprised of Ameno, Shishio, and Kouji.
408The Cursed Puppet
Sakura and her team continue their trek across the desert towards the goal. Their continuous battles have depleted Sakura's chakra, so they stop to rest. Just then, they encounter a puppet manipulated by a rival team from the Sand and end up being discovered.
409Their Backs
Ino and Choji fight to protect an immobilized Sakura although they have depleted most of their chakra due to the relentless fighting.
410The Hidden Plot Set Into Motion
Sand Jonin Fugi sneaks into the Demon Desert and creates a massive sandstorm in order to assassinate Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage.
411The Targeted Tailed Beast
Gaara heads out to rescue Matsuri and the others but is attacked by a mysterious priest who binds him with a Chakra Chain to capture his Tailed Beast.
412Neji's Judgement
Neji and the team come across Matsuri collapsed in the desert and find out that Gaara is in danger. Meanwhile, the chains of a mysterious priest bind Gaara and Foo.
413Hopes Entrusted to the Future
Gaara meets with Fugi, the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on his life. He confides that perhaps, after all the fear and pain he has wrought upon the Sand, he has no right to be their leader.