Naruto Anime Episode 68-80: Konoha Invasion

This arc deals with the invasion of Konoha by Hidden Sound and Sand. As the ninja attack, monumental battles erupt between Sandaime Hokage and Orochimaru, and between Naruto and Gaara.

This mini-arc will be the last of the larger Chuunin Exam/Invasion arc.

In the following summaries, Orange = Filler.



Episode 68: "'Konoha Kuzushi' Shidou! ~ 'Leaf Crumbling' Starts!"

Airdate: 01/28/2004





Sand and Sound begin their invasion of Leaf. Kazekage abducts Sandaime Hokage and then reveals himself to be Orochimaru in disguise. Baki directs Temari and Kankurou to take their younger brother outside the village to prepare him for his part in the invasion.

Episode 69: "Matte mashita! A ranku ninmu dattebayo!! ~ I Was Waiting! It's an A-rank Mission!!"

Airdate: 02/04/2004




Kakashi has Sakura wake an unconscious Naruto and then chases after Sasuke who has fled after Gaara. Orochimaru and Sandaime Hokage begin to battle, with Orochimaru revealing a horrible new forbidden technique.

Episode 70: "Nigegoshi NO. 1 Mendokusei ga yarukkya nee!! ~ Number 1 in Preparing to Flee, It's Troublesome But I'm Willing To Do It!!"

Airdate: 02/11/2004




Orochimaru summons the First and Second Hokage to fight at his side. Outside Konoha, Pakkun lets the group know ninja are following them. Shikamaru stays behind to delay them. He lays a trap, but his chakra isn't enough to hold them and the Sound move to strike. Asuma appears from nowhere and quickly dispatches them much to Shikamaru's relief.

Episode 71: "Kokonmusou! 'Hokage' toiu reberu no tatakai ~ Unparalleled in History! Called A 'Hokage' Level Battle"

Airdate: 02/18/2004




Nidaime and Shodai begin their battle against Sandaime. The battle rages at levels beyond average. High level jutsu are used by all those involved to try to gain an advantage. Sandaime finally summons Enma, the elder monkey king to help him in battle.

Episode 72: "Hokage no ayamachi Kamen no shita no sugao ~ The Hokage's Error, The True Face Under the Mask"

Airdate: 02/25/2004




Temari stays behind to fight Sasuke, but he quickly dispatches her. Sandaime remembers back to his past, and how he had a chance to kill Orochimaru and failed to take action. He states this time it will be different, thinking over his duty to protect the village with his very life, he calls forth the Death God with a forbidden technique, to stop Orochimaru once and for all!

Episode 73: "Kinjutsu ougi! 'Shiki Fuujin' ~ Secret Forbidden Technique! 'Corpse Spirit Sealing Method'"

Airdate: 03/03/2004




Sandaime summons the Death God and uses it to remove the souls of the two previous Hokages. Then he quickly moves to grab Orochimaru and rip out his soul as well!

Episode 74: "Kyougaku! Gaara no Shoutai ~ Astonishment! Gaara's True Shape"

Airdate: 03/10/2004




Shino catches up to Sasuke and finally gets his chance to fight Kankurou. Shino defeats Kankurou, but not before he manages to poison the Leaf ninja. Sasuke reaches Gaara and the young Hidden Sand ninja draws sand to his body to form a grotesque Tanuki-like form. Unfortunately the events are causing Gaara to go more and more insane.

Episode 75: "Genkai okoete... Sasuke no ketsudan!! ~ Exceeding the Limit... Sasuke's Decision!!"

Airdate: 03/17/2004




Sasuke thinks back to his training with Kakashi, and his sensei's warnings of the harm which can come if he does Chidori too many times. Sasuke decides the events require him to go farther, so he does another Chidori, but it activates his cursed seal! With Gaara looming to attack, Naruto arrives to save the day!

Episode 76: "Tsukiyo no ansatsusha ~ Assassin of the Moonlit Night"

Airdate: 03/24/2004





We flashback to Gaara's childhood and learn how his uncle cared for him. Gaara was a lonely child who most children were afraid of. In the present, Gaara pins Sakura to a tree and the sand holding her begins to constrict.

Episode 77: "Hikari to Yami Gaara toiu na ~ Light and Darkness, The Name Called Gaara"

Airdate: 03/31/2004




Gaara tells Naruto how assassins were sent to kill him, and how his very uncle also tried to kill him. His uncle said he blamed Gaara for his sister's death. The event scarred Gaara and caused him to mark "Love" onto his forehead. In the present, Naruto moves to protect Sakura.

Episode 78: "Bakuhatsu! Kore zo Naruto ninpouchooou!! ~ Explosion! These are the Naruto Ninja Chroniclesss!!"

Airdate: 04/07/2004




Naruto creates a massive amount of clones and begins his attack. Pummeling Gaara into submission, his opponent changes into his full gigantic Tanuki form. When Naruto begins to get surrounded for a Desert Coffin attack, he summons Gamabunta to help him fight!