Season 3
1. Summoning Jutsu; Wisdom of the Toad Sage! | Download
First aired: 10/7/2006 Production Code: 202
While Jiraiya attempts to teach Naruto the Summoning Jutsu, while doing research as well, Dosu learns the hard way why Gaara is so dangerous. Meanwhile, Baki and Kabuto secretly meet and reveal a sinister plot against Konoha. When Hayate discovers this dark secret, he attempts to warn the Hokage. However, he’ll have to get through Baki first!
Director: Hayato Date
2. A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of Hope | Download
First aired: 10/21/2006 Production Code: 203
Sakura goes to visit Sasuke and Lee in the hospital, along the way, she meets up with Ino and the two make the trip together. Lee tries to resume his training with limited success, making Sakura worry more about him and Sasuke.
Director: Hayato Date
3. Live or Die: Risk It All to Win It All! | Download
First aired: 10/28/2006 Production Code: 204
Since Naruto is having little to no success at summoning frogs, Jiraiya figures that if Naruto’s to learn how summon Kyubi’s chakra, he’s going to need to be put into a life-threating situation. After having Naruto do a bunch of tasks, he throws Naruto off a cliff. Naruto’s only hope of survival lies within an encounter with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox himself. But, will Kyubi be willing to help him?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Michael Sorich (Gamabunta)
4. He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears! | Download
First aired: 11/4/2006 Production Code: 205
Overjoyed at his success, Naruto manages to enrage Gamabunta. With him not willing to accept that Naruto was able to summon him, Naruto challenges Gamabunta to accept him as his subordinate if he is able to stay on his back until sundown.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Michael Sorich (Gamabunta)
5. Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed! | Download
First aired: 11/11/2006 Production Code: 206
Due to the events with Gamabunta, Naruto is now stuck in the hospital. Shikamaru unexpectedly pays him a visit, saying the two of them are the types who never get girls to visit them. Meanwhile, Gaara approaches an unconscious Rock Lee, with the full intention of taking his life. Luckily for Lee, Naruto and Shikamaru are there to protect him. However, can they save even themselves after learning Gaara’s shocking secret? What is it that Naruto has realized about Gaara?
Director: Hayato Date
6. The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena! | Download
First aired: 11/18/2006 Production Code: 207
Waking up late, Naruto hurries to the stadium where the Chunin matches will be held, along the way he stops at his old training ground and meets up with Hinata. Naruto tells Hinata that he’s afraid he’ll lose, but with Hinata’s encouragement and sort-of-confession of her feelings, Naruto is filled with renewed confidence and proceeds to the stadium leaving a shell-shocked Hinata in his wake. Now Naruto must try to make it the stadium before it’s too late, and Konohamaru has a plan to help him out.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Jonathan Fahn (Shikaku Nara), Michael Sorich (Choza Akimichi)
7. Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Jutsu! | Download
First aired: 11/18/2006 Production Code: 208
The opening ceremony to the Final Matches begins and Sasuke is missing, worrying Naruto. The ceremony ends and Naruto starts his fight with Neji. Will Naruto’s confidence lead him to a victory or are Neji’s skills too much for him? And where is Sasuke?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Richard Cansino (Izumo Kamizuki)
8. Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot! | Download
First aired: 11/18/2006 Production Code: 209
Naruto begins his assault with his Shadow Clones but Neji analyzes Naruto’s actions and determines the real one. Much to his surprise the one he thought was real is a fake as well. Naruto manages a sneak attack, but fails when Neji finds a way to counter it. Unable to figure out why Naruto won’t admit his defeat, he takes off his headband and reveal a mysterious mark on his forehead. Neji reveals the truth about his hatred towards the main family of the Hyuga Clan.
Director: Hayato Date
9. A Failure’s True Power | Download
First aired: 11/18/2006 Production Code: 210
With all of his tenketsus closed, Naruto cannot feel chakra in him and can barely stand. Neji continues to say that Naruto’s fate does not include his winning. Neji exclaims that Naruto has no idea what it feels like to carry a seal that cannot be removed. Naruto thinks about how he was neglected and ignored because of the Nine-Tails sealed within him and says that he does too understand. Now, the only way for Naruto to win lies in summoning Kyubi’s chakra.
Director: Hayato Date
10. Hit it or Quit it: The Final Rounds Get Complicated! | Download
First aired: 11/25/2006 Production Code: 211
With Sasuke still absent, and everyone anxiously anticipating his match against Gaara, the tournament is forced to move on to the next round. Meanwhile, Neji learns the shocking truth about his father.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Crispin Freeman (Fourth Kazekage) , Patrick Seitz (Raido Namiashi), Richard Cansino (Izumo Kamizuki), John DeMita (Hizashi Hyuuga (during flashback)), William Knight (Hyuuga clan elder (during flashback))
11. Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy! | Download
First aired: 12/2/2006 Production Code: 212
Shikamaru takes on Temari, only he doesn’t want to fight. Can the lazy Shikamaru even last the round? Or is there more to Shikamaru than meets the eye?
Director: Hayato Date
12. Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand | Download
First aired: 12/9/2006 Production Code: 213
It’s time for Sasuke’s match against Gaara, only Sasuke has yet to show up. Normally they’d disqualify him, but everyone’s anxiously awaiting the match. Therefore, they give Sasuke a time limit before disqualifying him. As time slowly begins to run out, only one question remains on everyone’s mind…where’s Sasuke?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Crispin Freeman (Fourth Kazekage) , Skip Stellrecht (Midori), Derek Stephen Prince (Tsuba)
13. Bushy Brow’s Jutsu: Sasuke Style! | Download
First aired: 12/16/2006 Production Code: 214
Sasuke’s match against Gaara finally begins! Gaara seems to have the upper hand at the beginning, until Sasuke shows off his newly found taijutsu techniques. Gaara is reliving the battle against Rock Lee all over again, only this time he’s facing an opponent who can use more than simple taijutsu attacks.
Director: Hayato Date
14. Late for the Show, but Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born! | Download
First aired: 12/23/2006 Production Code: 215
With Gaara’s ultimate defense in place, Sasuke’s only hope of winning lies within the move Kakashi taught him…Chidori. But, how will Gaara react when Sasuke causes him to bleed?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Jamieson Price (Otomatsu)
15. Zero Hour! The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins! | Download
First aired: 1/6/2007 Production Code: 216
Sasuke’s match is interrupted when Orochimaru puts his plan into action. Temari and Kankuro are ordered to get Gaara to safety until he recovers, leaving Sasuke to chase after them. War has begun!
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Peter Lurie (Kidomaru), Kari Wahlgren (Tayuya), Brian Beacock (Sakon, Lookout Ninja), Kate Higgins (Udon) , Jamieson Price (Otomatsu), Michael Sorich (Jirobo), Patrick Seitz (Raido Namiashi)
16. Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission! | Download
First aired: 1/13/2007 Production Code: 217
Knowing that Sasuke is in over his head, Kakashi sends Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru, being guided by a dog named Pakkun, to stop Sasuke from pursuing Gaara.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Peter Lurie (Kidomaru / Second Hokage), Michael Sorich (Jirobo), Kari Wahlgren (Tayuya), Brian Beacock (Sakon / Yashamaru), Kate Higgins (Udon) , Jamieson Price (First Hokage / Otomatsu)
17. A Shirker’s Call to Action: Layabout No More! | Download
First aired: 1/20/2007 Production Code: 218
Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Pakkun are being chased down by several Sound ninja. Shikamaru decides to stop and try to hold them off so the others can catch up to Sasuke without fear of pursuit. Shikamaru is the logical choice because of his Shadow Possession Jutsu…needless to say, Shikamaru’s not too thrilled by this.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Jamieson Price (First Hokage, Otomatsu)
18. An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale! | Download
First aired: 1/27/2007 Production Code: 219
A battle of kings has begun as Orochimaru has summoned the bodies of the First and Second Hokage, using a forbidden technique. They have no choice but to fight. Now the Third Hokage not only has to deal with Orochimaru, his student and one of the Legendary Sannin, but two of the greatest Hokages of all of Konoha as well. Meanwhile, Sasuke finally catches up with the Kankuro, Gaara, and Temari. Will the Third be able to beat the these killing puppets? And, what will become of Sasuke?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Michael McConnohie (Enma), Kate Higgins (Udon), Jamieson Price (First Hokage), Peter Lurie (Second Hokage)
19. A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed! | Download
First aired: 1/27/2007 Production Code: 220
Naruto and Sakura continue to catch up to Sasuke. At the same time, Sasuke catches up to Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara. Temari tries to stall Sasuke long enough for Kankuro to get Gaara to safety, but Sasuke doesn’t have time to waste on her. Meanwhile, the Third Hokage continues his battle with Orochimaru, and is ready to use a move that not even he knows.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Peter Lurie ((Second Hokage)), Michael McConnohie (Enma) , Tom Fahn (Anbu Ninja)
20. Forbidden Secret Technique! Reaper Death Seal! | Download
First aired: 2/3/2007 Production Code: 221
The battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru rages on. While they continue their battle, Jiraiya returns and joins in the battle against the Sound and Sand ninja. Meanwhile, Naruto and Sakura continue to track down Sasuke and at the same time, Sasuke catches up with Kankuro and Gaara. Temari returns to the scene and escapes with Gaara while Kankuro fights Sasuke. As they prepare to battle, an unexpected ally comes and fights him in Sasuke’s place, allowing Sasuke to continue to chase down Gaara. Meanwhile, Sarutobi prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice to rid his village of Orochimaru.
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Peter Lurie (Second Hokage), Kate Higgins (Udon), Michael McConnohie (Enma) , Jamieson Price (First Hokage)
21. Astonishing Truth! Gaara’s Identity Emerges! | Download
First aired: 2/10/2007 Production Code: 222
While Shino and Kankuro fight the match they should’ve fought back during the Chuunin Exam, Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun slowly catch up to Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke has finally caught up with Gaara and Temari, but is he ready to face true horror when Gaara reveals his demon form?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Kate Higgins (Udon), Michael McConnohie (Enma)
22. Sasuke’s Decison: Pushed to the Edge | Download
First aired: 2/17/2007 Production Code: 223
Sasuke struggles to keep up with Gaara’s monstrous capacity. Only able to use Chidori twice on normal circumstances, Sasuke remembers the tragic day that his family died. After failing to defeat Gaara, Sasuke realizes he must risk the use of Chidori beyond his limit if he’s to defeat Gaara. That is, will he make it?
Director: Hayato Date
23. An Assassin of the Moonlit Night | Download
First aired: 2/24/2007 Production Code: 224
As Sasuke is about to be defeated, Naruto and Sakura show up to save him. With this, Gaara begins to have flashbacks of his childhood. What happened in Gaara’s past to make him experience so much suffering?
Director: Hayato Date
24. Light vs. Dark: The Two Faces of Gaara | Download
First aired: 3/3/2007 Production Code: 225
Gaara continues to talk about his past. When Gaara states that Naruto can’t become stronger when he fights for everyone else, Naruto recalls that if he didn’t meet his friends, he would be the same as Gaara. Realizing that he has to protect his friends, Naruto overcomes his fear and decides to take on Gaara. To defeat Gaara, Naruto must summon Gamabunta, but instead gets one of his children. Meanwhile, Sarutobi continues to try to pull out Orochimaru’s soul. Can Naruto stand a second against Gaara?
Director: Hayato Date
Guest star: Dave Wittenberg (Gamakichi)
