Chapter 333 of the Naruto manga runs two threads at once. Shikamaru corners the immortal duo while, back in Konoha, Naruto edges toward finishing a new jutsu and learns how elemental natures play off one another.
Main Characters (5)
Summary
Shikamaru snares Hidan with his shadow and turns the captured man's swings against a pinned Kakuzu. Kakuzu slips loose at the final instant, yet Shikamaru keeps pressing, wielding Hidan as a tool to back his partner into a tight spot with nowhere left to go.
Key Events
In Konoha, Naruto closes in on completing his Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. During a rest, Yamato explains that every nature carries built-in strengths and weaknesses against the others, noting that Naruto's Wind Release loses out to Sasuke's Fire Release. Naruto flips the logic, deciding instead that his wind would only feed and amplify Sasuke's flames. On the battlefield, Kakuzu raises an earthen barrier to shield himself, and Kakashi answers with the Lightning Cutter, a nature that overpowers earth, driving it clean through the defense.
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Notes
The installment sits in volume 37 within the Akatsuki Suppression Mission arc. Its title, rendered from Aishō, refers to the compatibility between chakra natures that drives both halves of the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Naruto's affinities?
In "Affinities…!!," Naruto's chakra nature is established as Wind Release, which Yamato explains loses out against Sasuke's Fire Release, since fire feeds on wind.
What is Kakashi's natural affinity?
Kakashi's affinity is shown to be Lightning in this chapter, when he uses the Lightning Cutter to overpower Kakuzu's earthen barrier, since lightning beats earth in the chakra nature hierarchy.
How does Shikamaru trap Hidan and Kakuzu in this chapter?
Shikamaru snares Hidan with his shadow and turns Hidan's own swings against a pinned Kakuzu, and though Kakuzu slips free at the last instant, Shikamaru keeps pressing him using Hidan as a tool.
What jutsu is Naruto working on completing in "Affinities…!!"?
Naruto is closing in on completing his Wind Release: Rasenshuriken during the events of this chapter.
What does the title "Affinities…!!" refer to?
The title comes from the Japanese word Aisho, referring to the compatibility between chakra natures that drives both halves of the chapter, part of the Akatsuki Suppression Mission arc collected in Volume 37.
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
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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:
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