Sunagakure Support Mission

Spanning episodes 216 to 220, this arc brings the original Naruto anime to a close and leads directly into the opening arc of Naruto: Shippuden, the Kazekage Rescue Mission. It follows the Menma Memory Search Mission. The story delivers aid to Sunagakure and sets the stage for Naruto's long departure to train.

Kakashi investigates the deserted Takumi Village and finds its founder's body missing from the grave. In Sunagakure, Gaara and his siblings lead a new combat course, and Gaara grows close to a timid student named Matsuri after teaching her a defensive weapon. When the Four Celestial Symbols Men from Takumi abduct Matsuri, Naruto and much of the Konoha 11 deploy under Shikamaru to lend a hand. Naruto and Lee rescue an exhausted Gaara from a chakra-draining opponent, and Gaara pushes on alone, worried for his pupil.

Gaara confronts the enemy leader Hoki, who traps him inside an iron sphere that siphons Shukaku's chakra and drags him toward transformation. Hoki sacrifices himself to resurrect Seimei, the Takumi founder, who then feeds on the one-tail's power. Straining against the beast within, Gaara reasserts control and reverts to normal, choosing to rely on his own strength rather than Shukaku's. He turns the surrounding canyon to sand, crushes Seimei, and saves Matsuri before collapsing.

As Gaara recovers, Kankuro remarks that his brother has at last found someone he can relate to. Jiraiya arrives at the village, having spent months studying the Akatsuki, and tells Naruto he is finally ready to take him away for two years of training. After a farewell bowl of ramen with Iruka, Naruto sets out with Jiraiya, vowing to grow strong enough to free Sasuke from Orochimaru.