Chapter 133 turns on Naruto's decision to stand his ground against Gaara, backed by Sasuke's refusal to lose the few people he still holds dear and Haku's old lesson about the strength that comes from protecting others.
Main Characters (3)
Summary
Steeled by a fresh determination to come out on top, Naruto rushes Gaara with a squad of shadow clones. A fortunate strike catches the exposed underside of Gaara's transformed body, but the injury only sharpens Gaara's hunger to kill him. Sasuke intervenes, urging Naruto to pull Sakura loose from the sand that pins her and to run while he can.
Having already watched his whole family wiped out, Sasuke refuses to stand by and lose his teammates as well, since they are among the last things he still treasures. Naruto, however, remembers Haku telling him that real power surfaces when a person fights to shield someone else. Rather than flee, he answers by conjuring a thousand shadow clones and readies himself for a second, far larger clash.
Key Events
Naruto lands a damaging blow on Gaara's vulnerable underside, provoking greater bloodlust. Sasuke steps in and tells Naruto to free Sakura and escape, admitting his teammates are the only precious things left to him. Recalling Haku's words, Naruto refuses to run and summons a thousand shadow clones to reopen the fight.
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Notes
The chapter falls within the Konoha Crush arc and was collected in volume 15. Viz Media released it as Those Who Are Strong…!! It first appeared in issue 36 of Weekly Shonen Jump for 2002, dated August 19, 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Naruto chapter "The Strong…!!"?
In "The Strong…!!" (chapter 133), Naruto rushes Gaara's transformed form with a wave of shadow clones and lands a hit on its exposed underside, only enraging Gaara further. When Sasuke urges him to free Sakura and flee, Naruto instead recalls Haku's words about protecting others and readies a second attack with a thousand shadow clones.
Why does Sasuke tell Naruto to flee with Sakura?
Sasuke has already lost his entire family and cannot bear to lose his teammates too, since they are among the few precious things left to him, so he tells Naruto to pull Sakura free of the sand and escape while he still can.
What lesson from Haku motivates Naruto in this chapter?
Naruto remembers Haku telling him that real strength emerges when a person fights to protect someone else, and this memory is what convinces him to stand his ground against Gaara instead of running.
How does Naruto respond to Gaara after being told to run?
Rather than flee, Naruto conjures a thousand shadow clones and prepares for a second, larger clash with Gaara.
What arc and volume is "The Strong…!!" from?
"The Strong…!!" is chapter 133 of the manga, part of the Konoha Crush arc, and it was collected in volume 15. Viz Media released it under the title "Those Who Are Strong…!!"
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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