Ep. 235: Naruto helps Shizuka overcome trauma and defeat Kokuyou during a village supply stop.

235

While docking for supplies, Naruto observes Shizuka repelling puppet user Kokuyou for the ninety-eighth time. Her attendant Tokiwa recognizes Naruto as Jiraiya’s student and explains that her all-female village requires women to marry men who defeat them in combat. Jiraiya previously fought Shizuka’s mother to a draw, promising their students would settle the matter. Although initially reluctant, Naruto agrees to fight Shizuka after learning she emotionally withdrew following the mysterious murder of her lover. He uses a Shadow Clone to distract Kokuyou, who reveals his puppets were part of a complex jutsu to capture Shizuka. Naruto defeats Kokuyou with a Rasengan and convinces Shizuka to change her destiny by sharing his own experience with unrequited love for Sakura.