Naruto Anime Quiz | Episodes 68–80: Konoha Crush, the Third Hokage, and Naruto vs. Gaara

The genjutsu that puts the arena to sleep and Orochimaru's attack on the Third Hokage while disguised as the Kazekage signal the start of the Konoha Crush. Because their key fighter Gaara is badly wounded, the Sand team withdraws, and Sasuke pursues them in search of a conclusion. The operation begins before the match receives an official result.

Kakashi orders Sakura to take Naruto and Shikamaru after Sasuke and support him in battle. He also summons the ninja hound Pakkun to guide the pursuit. This is not a Sand escort mission led by Sasuke himself.

Shikamaru devises a diversion that resembles an ambush: one person remains behind to hold off the pursuers while the other three continue. Although the decoy may be killed, Shikamaru—normally the one who avoids danger—volunteers for the role himself.

Orochimaru casts the Reanimation Jutsu and revives the First and Second Hokage. The First traps the Third with Deep Forest Emergence, and the Third summons Monkey King Enma to fight back. The key is not to reverse the side that summons the Hokage with the side that summons Enma.

Orochimaru's immortality technique transfers his mind into another person's body and allows him to take it over. He seeks Sasuke, who possesses exceptional talent and the Sharingan, as his next body. This mechanism and purpose differ from the Reanimation Jutsu, which brings back the dead.

The Reaper Death Seal is a forbidden technique that offers the caster's own life to the Reaper. The Third Hokage first seals the souls of the First and Second, then targets Orochimaru. Unable to extract Orochimaru's entire soul, he seals Orochimaru's arms and takes away his ability to use jutsu, but dies in exchange.

When Sasuke and Kankuro are about to fight, Shino arrives and takes responsibility for battling Kankuro. This allows Sasuke to continue after Gaara. The roles of Shino, who replaces Sasuke in the matchup, and Sasuke, who prioritizes the pursuit, must be kept distinct.

Sasuke exceeds the number of Chidori uses his body can sustain and draws even on the sealed Curse Mark, yet he cannot overcome Gaara's Shukaku transformation. Naruto initially wants to flee, but the danger to Sasuke and Sakura makes him resolve to fight Gaara and protect them.

Naruto summons Gamabunta and uses a Combination Transformation to take the appearance of a giant nine-tailed fox against the fully manifested Shukaku. Because Shukaku is drawing out its power while Gaara sleeps through the Feigning Sleep Technique, waking Gaara is the counter that weakens it. Deepening the sleep would have the opposite effect.

Naruto and Gaara both grew up hated by those around them and feeling that nobody needed them. The decisive difference is that Naruto found people who acknowledged him and continues crawling forward to protect Sakura even after his strength is gone. Gaara realizes that this love and these bonds produce Naruto's strength.