Naruto · Konoha Crush

Sasuke's match with Gaara becomes the signal for an attack: the Sand, allied with the Sound, invades Konoha. The fake Kazekage is Orochimaru, who traps the Third Hokage inside a barrier on the stadium roof. Sasuke chases Gaara into the forest, with Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru following. Gaara turns into Shukaku, and Naruto summons Gamabunta to fight him. With a final headbutt Naruto wins, and Gaara understands for the first time what fighting for someone means. On the roof, the Third uses a forbidden sealing jutsu and takes away Orochimaru's arms, but it costs him his life. The invasion ends and the village says goodbye at a funeral in the rain.

1. Behind the scenesTanuki versus fox

   When Gaara turns into Shukaku to fight Naruto and Gamabunta, the beast has a tanuki's face. Kishimoto picked that animal on purpose as a contrast to Naruto's fox.

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2. CameoTwo Hokage climb out of coffins

   On the rooftop, Orochimaru pulls the First and Second Hokage out of coffins to fight the Third, who was their student. It's the series' first look at the technique that raises the dead, and both come back later.

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3. SetupThe price of the Third's seal

   To stop Orochimaru, the Third Hokage gives his life for a seal that summons the god of death. He can't take his student's whole soul, only his arms, which are left useless. That detail matters in the arcs to come.

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