Synopsis

Naruto’s training progressed to its second phase as Tsunade dispatched twenty-two-man squads – each consisting of four ninja – to confront the Akatsuki within the Fire Country. Shikamaru departed with Asuma, Izumo, and Kotetsu, while Ino and Choji joined Raido and Aoba. After a sustained period of intense effort, Naruto completed the second stage of his training, only to succumb to a sudden wave of hunger and exhaustion.