Ep. 444: Sasuke departs Konoha, evading Kakashi and confronting Root Anbu with Team Guy's intervention.
Sasuke incapacitates Izumo and Kotetsu while exiting Konoha, then defeats Kakashi using genjutsu after revealing his intent to train under Orochimaru. Kakashi warns Hiruzen, Minato, and Tsunade, who discuss Jiraiya’s intel about Orochimaru needing a new vessel. Sakura overhears this, and Minato imposes a lockdown to manage the Uchiha situation discreetly. At the Academy, Sakura and Shikamaru inform the Konoha 11 about Sasuke’s departure. Naruto and Shikamaru escape through a tunnel dug by Kiba, with Naruto promising to return Sasuke. Neji notices another stowaway. Kushina alerts Minato to the escape. Root Anbu, sent by Danzo to prevent interference, attack the pair. Team Guy intercepts the assault, and Shikamaru recognizes the attackers as non-standard Anbu while Sasuke continues his journey.
Episodes
- Ep. 440 · Neji learns the masked man is his father Hizashi, who orchestrates a test to evaluate Konoha's handling of the Hyuga Affair.
- Ep. 441 · Tsunade reads Jiraiya's novel while Sasuke trains with Kakashi and Itachi negotiates with Minato.
- Ep. 442 · Sasuke joins the Leaf Police Force after leaving Team 7 and training with Shisui for three years.
- Ep. 443 · Sasuke's aggressive police tactics spark conflict with Naruto and Danzo's intervention
- Ep. 444 · Sasuke departs Konoha, evading Kakashi and confronting Root Anbu with Team Guy's intervention.
- Ep. 445 · Deidara kills Sand shinobi while Naruto reveals Anko and Lee opens the fifth gate
- Ep. 446 · Naruto and Sasuke clash while Itachi intervenes, leading to a tragic confrontation at the tower.
- Ep. 447 · Naruto finds Konoha destroyed by Pain's Chibaku Tensei and battles the Six Paths to save the trapped villagers.
- Ep. 448 · Lee watches Pain while Sakura heals Hinata and Shikamaru observes the Chibaku Tensei.