Naruto Anime Episode 86-96: Search for Tsunade

Naruto and Jiraiya continue their search for Tsunade and Jiraiya makes good on his promise to teach Naruto a special new move.

In the following summaries, Orange = Filler.







Episode 86: "Shugyou kaishi Ore ha zettee tsuyoku naru! ~ Training Begins, I'm Definately Going to Become Strong!"

Airdate: 06/02/2004




Jiraiya and Naruto continue on their journey and stop at a town holding a festival. Jiraiya leaves Naruto on his own and when Naruto gets into trouble, Jiraiya finally reveals the Rasengan technique. Jiraiya then takes Naruto outside of town and gets him started on learning the technique.

Episode 87: "Konjou!!! Warero mizu fuusen ~ Guts!!! Popped Water Balloon!"

Airdate: 06/09/2004




Naruto continues his goal to pop the water balloon. Jiraiya tells Naruto it took the Fourth Hokage 3 years to master the technique. As the days pass on Naruto grows weary, but upon seeing a cat at play, he learns how to finish the first stage of training...

Episode 88: "Konoha maaku to hitaiate ~ The Leaf Mark and The Forehead Protector"

Airdate: 06/16/2004




After passing the first stage, Jiraiya gives Naruto a rubber ball and asks that he now pop it as well. Naruto thinks back to his days at the Ninja Academy and how Iruka taught Naruto and his classmates how to focus their chakra.

Episode 89: "Hamon ~ Ripple"

Airdate: 06/23/2004





Orochimaru tracks down Tsunade to make a proposal for her to heal his arms. Elsewhere Jiraiya continues his search and Naruto begins the third and final stage of Rasengan training.

Episode 90: "Ikari bakuhatsu! Yurusaneeattebayo ~ Anger Explosion! I Won't Allow That"

Airdate: 07/07/2004




Jiraiya and Naruto finally track down Tsunade and Jiraiya makes her the offer of Hokage. Naruto was unaware that was the real proposal and challenges Tsunade's merits. The two go outside to fight and Tsunade is surprised by Naruto's ability to use a partial Rasengan.

Episode 91: "Shodai Hokage no isan Shi wo yobu kubikazari ~ The First Hokage's Inheritance, The Necklace Which Brings Death"

Airdate: 07/14/2004




Tsunade quickly dispatches Naruto, she makes him a bargain though that if he can master the Rasengan in a week, which will give him her necklace in return. Tsunade then begins to consider the offers from her former teammates.

Episode 92: "YES ka NO ka! Tsunade no kaitou ~ "YES or NO! Tsunade's Answer"

Airdate: 07/21/2004




Tsunade thinks over Orochimaru's offer, to heal his arms in return for granting life back to her two loved ones. Tsunade thinks over her brother and boyfriend and how much she misses them, and watches as Naruto continues to learn the Rasengan. She then sits to drink with Jiraiya and slips him a drug and then goes to meet Orochimaru.

Episode 93: "Koushou Ketsuretsu! ~ Negotiation Breakdown"

Airdate: 07/28/2004





Tsunade stands ready by Orochimaru but Kabuto interrupts their deal. Tsunade planned to kill Orochimaru and now she is determined to finish Orochimaru once and for all! Jiraiya, Naruto and Shizune arrive to find Tsunade and Orochimaru gone. Elsewhere Kabuto tries to fight against Tsunade, when he appears to be getting the upperhand, Naruto's team finally arrives.

Episode 94: "Kurae! Ikari no Rasengan ~ Eat This! The Rasengan's Anger"

Airdate: 08/04/2004




Naruto moves to fight Kabuto but he is outmatched by his opponent. Jiraiya and Orochimaru begin to do battle, but both are hampered by their impairments. Naruto finally grabs uphold of Kabuto and prepares to unload a near complete Rasengan with the help of a Kage Bunshin.

Episode 95: "Godaime Hokage Inochi o kaketa tatakai! ~ The Fifth Hokage, The Battle She Bets Her Life On"

Airdate: 08/11/2004




This episode aired with episode 96 in a one hour "Legendary Sannin Run Riot" special. To Tsunade's surprise the Rasengan connects sending Kabuto flying backwards. Though he tried to use his medical techniques to counter it, it still deal damage to him. When he sees Tsunade moving to summon, he jumps to Orochimaru's side to help him summon as well. Jiraiya moves to summon and three huge animals are suddenly brought into the battle.

Episode 96: "San sukumi no tatakai ~ Three-way Battle"

Airdate: 08/11/2004





This episode aired with episode 95 in a one hour "Legendary Sannin Run Riot" special. The three summons begin to do battle with Gamabunta and Katsuyu eventually getting the upperhand. Tsunade then begins to unleash all her pent up rage on Orochimaru, pummeling him into submission. He and Kabuto decide to flee. The team returns to the city to relax and Tsunade and Naruto begin to argue. She challenges him to fight but when they go outside, she instead wishes him luck on his journey to become Hokage.