The Third Hokage plays his final card, invoking a self-destroying seal to strip the reanimated First and Second Hokage of their souls. His duel with Orochimaru turns deadly as the invasion of Konoha rages on around them.
Summary
With fighting tearing through the village, the Third Hokage sends shadow clones to invoke the Dead Demon Consuming Seal and lock away the souls of the reanimated First and Second Hokage. He recoils when he realizes the bodies used to revive them were Orochimaru's own subordinates, Zaku Abumi and Kin Tsuchi. Rushing to seal his former student as well, the Third is caught off guard when Orochimaru's blade runs him through from behind, a strike even Enma cannot stop.
Key Events
Puzzled that his old teacher never dodged, Orochimaru learns the grim truth: the sealing technique costs its caster his life no matter what, so the Third was doomed the moment he began. Elsewhere in the chaos, Sasuke once again closes in on Gaara, and Kankuro moves to stall him so Gaara can slip away with Temari. Before that fight can start, Shino Aburame arrives to take Kankuro on himself, citing the match the two never got to finish, which clears the way for Sasuke to keep chasing Gaara.
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Notes
Also known by the alternate title Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal, the episode adapts chapters 123 and 124 within the Konoha Crush arc. It centers on the Third Hokage's fatal sacrifice at the height of the invasion and first aired in Japan on March 3, 2004, reaching English audiences on February 3, 2007.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dead Demon Consuming Seal in Naruto?
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal is a forbidden technique the Third Hokage uses to lock away the souls of the reanimated First and Second Hokage. Casting it costs the user's own life no matter what, so the Third was doomed the moment he began the jutsu.
What is the death reaper sealing jutsu?
The Death Reaper Sealing Jutsu is another name for the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, reflected in this episode's alternate title, Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal. The Third Hokage invokes it during the invasion of Konoha to imprison the souls of the two reanimated Hokage.
Why doesn't the Third Hokage dodge Orochimaru's attack?
Orochimaru is puzzled that his old teacher never dodged, but the reason is that the sealing technique guarantees the caster's death regardless of the outcome. The Third Hokage was already fated to die the moment he began casting the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
Whose souls does the Third Hokage seal away in this episode?
The Third Hokage seals away the souls of the reanimated First and Second Hokage. He recoils upon realizing the bodies Orochimaru used to revive them belonged to his own subordinates, Zaku Abumi and Kin Tsuchi.
What happens between Sasuke and Gaara during this episode?
While the invasion rages, Sasuke closes in on Gaara again, and Kankuro moves to stall him so Gaara can slip away with Temari. Shino Aburame arrives to fight Kankuro instead, clearing the way for Sasuke to keep chasing Gaara.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Rights holders
- Created byMasashi Kishimoto
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byStudio Pierrot
All rights belong to their respective owners.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Studio Pierrot and Toho.
- Game pages: official box art for the Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm games, credited to Bandai Namco.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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