Naruto Anime Episode 81-85: Akatsuki Introduction

As Konoha rebuilds, this mini-arc focuses on the return of Sasuke's brother Itachi to Hidden Leaf. This is one of the shorter arcs in the series, which segues into the next "Search for Tsunade" arc.

In the following summaries, Orange = Filler.





Episode 81: "Asagiri no kikyou ~ Homecoming of the Morning Mist"

Airdate: 04/28/2004





Two mysterious figures have entered Konoha and are dining. Asuma and Kurenai happen across Kakashi at this location and with unspoken orders pursue the two men. Asuma and Kurenai stop them, and they reveal themselves to be Uchiha Itachi and Hidden Mist missing-nin Hoshigaki Kisame. They begin to battle and when things begin to turn against the Leaf ninja, Kakashi arrives to lend assistance. Elsewhere Jiraiya offers to track down fellow Sannin Tsunade and offer her the job of Hokage.

Episode 82: "Sharingan tai Sharingan ~ Sharingan VS Sharingan"

Airdate: 05/05/2004





Kakashi moves to stop Itachi but Itachi is too much even for Kakashi. We learn that the two men have come for the Kyuubi in Naruto. Itachi moves to end the confrontation and uses a special Sharingan jutsu, the Tsukuyomi, to trap Kakashi within his own mind. Though it spanned seconds, Kakashi went through days of torture. He passes out but Gai arrives to save them just in time. Itachi and Kisame then flee. Elsewhere Jiraiya and Naruto get ready to being their journey to find Tsunade.

Episode 83: "Oo, nooo! Jiraiya no jonan, Naruto no sainan ~ Oh, nooo! Jiraiya's Women Trouble, Naruto's Misfortune"

Airdate: 05/12/2004




In a village outside of Konoha, Jiraiya and Naruto stop to rest and gather information. When Sasuke overhears that his brother has returned and is after Naruto, he chases after them. Jiraiya gets distracted by a woman and Naruto goes to the hotel room alone. A knock at the door later on brings ill tidings for Naruto, because there stands Kisame and Itachi.

Episode 84: "Unare Chidori Hoero Sasuke! ~ Roar Chidori Howl Sasuke!"

Airdate: 05/19/2004




Kisame and Itachi move to capture Naruto, but Sasuke arrives to attack his brother in a crazed frenzy. Itachi easily swats him away and mocks his growth. We then get a flashback to the night of the Uchiha clan massacre and how Itachi taunted Sasuke to grow. Itachi then uses Tsukuyomi to make Sasuke relive the massacre over and over again. When Kisame moves to injure Naruto, Jiraiya suddenly arrives to save him.

Episode 85: "Oroka naru ototo yo Urame, nikume! ~ Foolish Younger Brother, Detest, Hate!"

Airdate: 05/26/2004




Jiraiya moves to capture the two men by transforming the surrounding walls into the summoned esophagus of a toad, Itachi and Kisame bolt and Itachi uses another special Sharingan technique to burn themselves free. Gai arrives to take the injured Sasuke back for medical treatment. Kisame and Itachi reflect that they can get Naruto again later. Naruto and Jiraiya then head off again in search of Tsunade.