Sasuke Recovery Mission, Vols. 20–27

Sasuke feels stuck since Itachi beat him, and the Sound Four offer him Orochimaru's power. He leaves Konoha. Newly promoted Shikamaru puts together a team with Naruto, Neji, Kiba and Chōji, and one by one they stay behind to face an enemy, with backup from Rock Lee and the Sand siblings. Naruto catches Sasuke at the Valley of the End, where the two fight for real for the first time. Sasuke wins, spares Naruto and heads to Orochimaru. Kakashi arrives too late and carries Naruto home. Everyone survives, and Naruto vows to bring Sasuke back. Part I ends with Naruto leaving Konoha to train with Jiraiya for two and a half years.

1. Behind the scenesNot equals yet

   Kishimoto said he didn't want Sasuke to see Naruto as an equal until much later, in Part II. That's why this arc's fight ends the way it does.

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2. ReferenceThe unlikely leader

   Newly promoted to chūnin, Shikamaru leads the mission. Anime News Network called his turn as leader "an unlikely hero," one of the arc's highlights.

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3. Behind the scenesGaara goes Matrix

   Gaara's new high-collared outfit at the end of Part I was easier to draw and marked how he'd changed. Kishimoto cited The Matrix as the inspiration.

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4. ReferenceEnd of Part I

   Part I ends with chapter 238. Its central theme, per Wikipedia, is mutual acceptance.

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