Naruto Shippūden Season 4

Synopsis

Asuma and Shikamaru have to think on their feet as they face the mind-boggling jutsu of the Akatsuki pair, Hidan and Kakuzu. At the last minute, the Akatsuki are called away, but not before dealing a fatal blow to a revered shinobi of the Leaf. The devastated ninja left behind can think only of revenge, but Tsunade is opposed to the scheme until an offer of help arrives from an unexpected source.

Main Cast

Junko Takeuchi

Naruto Uzumaki (voice)

Age : 52 | Popularity : 11%

Chie Nakamura

Sakura Haruno (voice)

Age : 45 | Popularity : 8%

Noriaki Sugiyama

Sasuke Uchiha (voice)

Age : 50 | Popularity : 7%

Kazuhiko Inoue

Kakashi Hatake (voice)

Age : 70 | Popularity : 23%

Satoshi Hino

Sai (voice)

Age : 45 | Popularity : 12%

Akira Ishida

Gaara (voice)

Age : 56 | Popularity : 10%

Hideo Ishikawa

Itachi Uchiha (voice)

Age : 54 | Popularity : 4%

Koichi Tochika

Neji Hyuga (voice)

Age : 52 | Popularity : 10%

Episodes

Episode 72

21 August 2008 - The Quietly Approaching Threat

Asuma apologizes at the grave of the Third Hokage for not understanding his advice concerning what the "king" of the Fire Country is. At the hospital, Naruto and Sai recover, despite Naruto's desire to resume his training. Tsunade receives a report from Kakashi that Akatsuki is on the move. Elsewhere, Yugito Nii, the Two Tails Jinchūriki, struggles against Hidan and Kakuzu and unleashes the Two Tails, but is defeated and captured. Hidan and Kakuzu then turn their attention to the Fire Country for their next target.

Episode 73

28 August 2008 - Akatsuki's Invasion

Naruto proceeds to the next step of his training, the cutting of a waterfall. Hidan and Kakuzu reach the Fire Temple and fight Chiriku, so as to obtain the bounty on his head. After defeating him, they move out to claim the bounty and thereafter target the Nine Tails Jinchūriki Naruto.

Episode 74

04 September 2008 - Under the Starry Sky

The second stage of Naruto's training continues, while Tsunade sends out twenty teams composed of four ninja each to deal with the Akatsuki members in the Fire Country. Shikamaru leaves with Asuma, Izumo and Kotetsu, whereas Ino and Choji leave with Raido and Aoba. After putting in considerable effort, Naruto clears the second stage of his training, but collapses from hunger and exhaustion almost immediately afterward.

Episode 75

11 September 2008 - The Old Monk's Prayer

Asuma mourns Chiriku's death, and realizes that Hidan and Kakuzu are trying to claim the bounty on his head. Meanwhile, Hidan and Kakuzu take Chiriku in for their payment. Meanwhile, Kakashi shows Naruto what the true goal of his training will be.

Episode 76

25 September 2008 - The Next Step

Kakashi reveals that while he knows how to perform Rasengan, he cannot combine his own lightning-based chakra. He adds that even the Fourth Hokage, who created the move, could not combine his elemental chakra with the technique, but that Naruto might be able to. Asuma sends word to other teams about Akatsuki’s location and proceeds on despite his concern about Akatsuki’s strength. Kakuzu turns in Chiriku’s corpse despite Hidan’s complaints, and says that he is partnered with Hidan because he cannot kill him. The stress of the training causes Naruto to be enveloped in the Nine-tails's "Demon Fox's Cloak", but Yamato suppresses it.

Episode 77

25 September 2008 - Climbing Silver

Asuma’s team reaches the bounty station and ambushes Hidan. Izumo and Kotetsu attack Hidan, but are unable to kill him despite stabbing his vital organs. Asuma tells his teammates that if they retreat they will be killed and Konoha will be endangered. Shikamaru realizes that Asuma is considering sacrificing himself to help defeat the enemy, based on what he knows of Asuma's shogi strategy. Asuma begins fighting Hidan, while Shikamaru distracts him by forcing him to dodge Shadow Sewing. Hidan cuts Asuma on the cheek and steps into a circle of blood as Asuma uses a jutsu to engulf Hidan in a cloud of ash. Asuma then sets the cloud ablaze, supposedly killing Hidan.

Episode 78

02 October 2008 - The Judgment

Asuma’s fire jutsu strikes Hidan, but much to the team's surprise, Asuma is also burned. Hidan reveals his ability: By ingesting an opponent’s blood and standing in a ritual circle drawn with blood, the "curse" links him to his opponent and all damage inflicted on him is also inflicted on the opponent. Asuma rushes at Hidan but collapses after Hidan stabs himself in the leg. Shikamaru realizes Hidan needs to be in the circle for the curse to take effect, and uses his shadow possession jutsu to force Hidan to step out of it. Asuma forces himself to stand up and beheads the restrained Hidan.

Episode 79

02 October 2008 - Unfulfilled Scream

Team Asuma continues their battle with Akatsuki's Hiden and Kakuzu.

Episode 80

16 October 2008 - Last Words

A call from the Akatsuki leader forces Hidan and Kakuzu to fall back, but in the wake of the aftermath, not everyone makes it back to Konoha alive.

Episode 81

23 October 2008 - The Sad News

While Akatsuki discusses the true goals of their organization, Naruto continues his training. Meanwhile, Tsunade receives the tragic news.

Episode 82

30 October 2008 - Team Ten

All of Konoha mourns the tragic loss of Asuma Sarutobi. Knowing that Hidan and Kakuzu are bound to return, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino prepare to head off to take revenge upon the duo while Kakashi takes temporary leadership of the team.

Episode 83

06 November 2008 - Target: Locked On

With careful planning, the group manages to find and trap Hidan and Kakuzu. However, things seem to be going a bit too smoothly.

Episode 84

13 November 2008 - Kakuzu's Abilities

When Kakashi strikes Kakuzu through the heart, the battle seems to be over. However, when Kakuzu not only survives the attack, but also manages to escape from Shikamaru's trap, it soon becomes clear that the fight is only just beginning..

Episode 85

20 November 2008 - The Terrifying Secret

As Kakashi and the others continue to struggle against the Akatsuki duo, Kakuzu reveals that he has not one, but five hearts! In order to kill him, one must take out all five of his hearts. Meanwhile, Shikamaru decides to challenge Hidan alone, and forces him away from his partner.

Episode 86

04 December 2008 - Shikamaru's Genius

Shikamaru continues his fight with Hidan. Hidan manages to injure Shikamaru and curses him the same way he did Asuma, but when Shikamaru survives Hidan's attack, Hidan realizes something isn't quite right.

Episode 87

04 December 2008 - When You Curse Someone, You Dig Your Own Grave

Hidan falls into Shikamaru's trap, but now that he has Hidan cornered, can he find a way to defeat Hidan's immortality? Elsewhere, things are looking grim for Kakashi, Choji, and Ino as they continue fighting Kakuzu, but a surprise back-up unit arrives on the scene to provide some much needed assistance.

Episode 88

11 December 2008 - Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken!

Naruto challenges Kakuzu with his new technique, the Rasen Shuriken, but can he defeat Kakuzu when his technique isn't even complete yet?

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Writing	Writer	Shin Yoshida Katsuhiko Chiba
	Author	Masashi Kishimoto
	Original Series Creator	Masashi Kishimoto
Directing	Series Director	Hayato Date
Sound	Original Music Composer	Yasuharu Takanashi
Visual Effects	Character Designer	Tetsuya Nishio Hirofumi Suzuki
Department	Role	Name

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