Chapter 151 follows Naruto through the early, frustrating days of learning the Rasengan during the hunt for Tsunade. Stuck on the very first exercise, he gets his breakthrough from an unlikely teacher: a stray cat batting around the same balloon he cannot burst.
Main Characters (1)
Summary
Several days into his Rasengan lessons, Naruto stews over how little headway he has made in bursting a water-filled balloon. Jiraiya had grudgingly shown him how to rotate his chakra, prompting a boast that he would clear this opening stage and master the whole technique inside three days. The Sage promptly deflated that claim, noting that the Fourth Hokage, who devised the move, needed three full years to perfect it.
Key Events
As Naruto broods, his eyes land on a cat toying with the balloon. The animal knocks it about until it finally ruptures, and the sight hands Naruto the insight he had been missing. Applying what he just watched, he at last manages to pop the balloon on his own.
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Notes
Volume 17 collects this installment within the Search for Tsunade storyline. Its title, Kikkake, means something like a trigger or cue, which Viz rendered as The Hook. The original magazine printing came bundled with an oversized poster showing the results of the third character popularity poll; that extra was dropped from the later collected edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naruto struggling with in chapter 151?
In chapter 151, Naruto is stuck on the first stage of learning the Rasengan, spending several frustrating days unable to burst a water-filled balloon using only his chakra.
How does Naruto finally learn to burst the balloon?
Naruto gets his breakthrough by watching a stray cat bat around the same balloon until it ruptures, and applying that same motion lets him pop the balloon on his own.
How long did it take the Fourth Hokage to master the Rasengan?
In this chapter, Jiraiya tells Naruto that the Fourth Hokage, who devised the Rasengan, needed three full years to perfect it, deflating Naruto's boast that he could master it in just three days.
What does the chapter title "Impetus" mean?
The chapter's Japanese title, Kikkake, means something like a trigger or cue, referring to the stray cat that gives Naruto the insight he needed; Viz Media rendered the title as "The Hook."
Where does chapter 151 fall in the Naruto story?
Chapter 151 is collected in volume 17 within the Search for Tsunade arc, first published in Weekly Shonen Jump issue 5 of 2003, dated January 22, 2003.
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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