Chapter 229 of the Naruto manga captures the emotional core of the Sasuke Recovery Mission, as Naruto tries to reach his friend through fists and words, only for Sasuke to weaponize the very connection between them.
Shaken by the raw power of the Nine-Tails' chakra pouring off Naruto, Sasuke demands to know what his opponent has become. Naruto answers plainly that he is a friend, then launches an assault so fast that Sasuke cannot match it, hammering away at him in an effort to knock some sense into him. Sasuke lashes back, insisting that someone who has never had a family could never grasp the pain of losing one.
Naruto concedes the point but counters that, over time, he grew to see Sasuke as a brother. Hearing that Naruto holds him in that kind of familial regard triggers the full awakening of Sasuke's Sharingan. He fastens his Konoha forehead protector back on and vows to cut the tie between them, so that Naruto will finally stop chasing after him.
Sasuke recoils from the Nine-Tails' chakra and questions Naruto's nature. Naruto overwhelms him with speed and tries to beat sense into him. The two clash over Naruto's lack of a family and his view of Sasuke as a brother. Sasuke's Sharingan matures fully in the moment, and he pledges to sever their bond to end Naruto's pursuit.

Naruto vs Luffy with the twist nobody asked for: Luffy tickled Hinata on date night, and she kind of liked it. We break down the whole fight and commit to a winner....

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Part of the Sasuke Recovery Mission arc, this chapter ran in Volume 26. It first went on sale in Japan on September 20, 2004.
In chapter 229, Naruto Uzumaki tries to reach Sasuke Uchiha through both fists and words during their clash, telling him he sees him as a brother. This declaration triggers the full awakening of Sasuke's Sharingan, and Sasuke vows to sever their bond.
When Sasuke Uchiha demands to know what he has become after sensing the Nine-Tails' chakra, Naruto Uzumaki answers plainly that he is a friend.
Sasuke Uchiha's Sharingan fully awakens after Naruto Uzumaki tells him that, over time, he came to see Sasuke as a brother.
At the end of the chapter, Sasuke Uchiha fastens his Konoha forehead protector back on and vows to cut the bond between himself and Naruto Uzumaki so that Naruto will finally stop chasing after him.
"The Bond…!!" is chapter 229 of the Naruto manga, collected in volume 26 as part of the Sasuke Recovery Mission arc.
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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.
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