Ep. 436: The Masked Man rescues children while Jiraiya investigates Orochimaru's compound
Team Asuma assists Team Jiraiya in saving children from underground creatures, with Nagato saving an injured Choji. After returning the children to their mother, Team Jiraiya invites Team Asuma to join them, but they refuse to continue searching for Asuma. Shikamaru realizes Team Jiraiya is following orders and not trying to kill them, prompting them to depart before Team Kurenai arrives. Shikamaru hides this encounter, planning to report to Konohagakure and regroup with Teams Kakashi and Guy. Meanwhile, Lee and Sasuke debate whether to return to the village or keep searching for their missing teammates and sensei. Elsewhere, the masked man shows Naruto and Neji images from the Hyuga Affair, asking Neji to join him to force change in Konohagakure. Additionally, Jiraiya locates one of Orochimaru's compounds.
Episodes
- Ep. 432 · Tsunade dreams of Jiraiya while Team 7 faces a cliff rescue mission involving Kurama.
- Ep. 433 · Shinobi teams investigate mysterious disappearances while Team 7 faces Hidan and Team 10 confronts the Akatsuki trio.
- Ep. 434 · Team Jiraiya confronts Team Asuma while Hidan and Kakuzu regroup with captured allies.
- Ep. 435 · Tsunade reads Jiraiya's novel while teams investigate a sinkhole and mysterious spheres.
- Ep. 436 · The Masked Man rescues children while Jiraiya investigates Orochimaru's compound
- Ep. 437 · Shizune worries for Tsunade while Neji meets the masked man who paralyzes Naruto.
- Ep. 438 · Tsunade reacts to dinner while Sasori attacks Sakura and Jiraiya aids Naruto
- Ep. 439 · Naruto suppresses the Nine-Tails and defeats Sasori's puppets with the Rasengan
- Ep. 440 · Neji learns the masked man is his father Hizashi, who orchestrates a test to evaluate Konoha's handling of the Hyuga Affair.