The Best Episodes Directed By Toshiya Niidome

In the chairman's office, Ouka finds files documenting Mari's crimes... The next day, the Mock Battle Tournament has entered the second round: Kyoya's 15th Platoon against Takeru's 35th. But during the battle, Yoshimizu, Kyoya's childhood friend and platoon member, has strange black thorns burst out of her body! "I've come to rescue you, my sweet Mari-san!" Emerging from the black thorns is the necromancer, Haunted.

Though Lev is confined due to his actions, the launch must go on as scheduled. As Irina takes to the skies, those on the ground pray for a successful mission.

Because Orochimaru lied to her about not attacking Konoha, Tsunade begins her onslaught against him and Kabuto. Kabuto eats a food pill and begins to attack Tsunade with his medical techniques but are they enough to defeat her? Will Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto show up in time?

Hospital bound and feeling his pride shattered, Sasuke finds there is only way to redeem himself: Battle Naruto! Meanwhile, the Ino-Shika-Cho Squad sit down for some barbeque to celebrate a special occasion!

Being some of the few Genins available, Naruto, Ino, and Shino are forced to accompany Anko on her mission to the Sea Country to destroy a sea monster and protect a boat carrying gold. However, Anko is acting strange as she begins to remember more and more events from her past, and the connection she once had with Orochimaru.

The Konoha team continue to investigate the star's theft and start to realise everything is not quite as it seems. Everything seems to be leading to a final battle, but who is the real enemy behind all this?

Wein arrives to save Falanya, but exhaustion takes a toll. Lowa seeks Wein's advice. The imperial princes suspect Wein in an attempted poisoning. When the princes surround Mealtars, Falanya convinces its people to unite and thwart their aggression.

While Shino and Kankuro fight the match they should've fought back during the Chuunin Exam, Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun slowly catch up to Sasuke. Meanwhile, Sasuke has finally caught up with Gaara and Temari, but is he ready to face true horror when Gaara reveals his demon form?

When it looks as if Naruto can't win, Neji continues to tell him that he cannot change his fate and that he has no idea what it feels like to carry a seal that cannot be removed. Naruto thinks back about his childhood and how he was treated because of the Nine-Tails sealed inside him. However, that same curse may prove to be his only chance at winning...

Itching to fight and with a sense of guilt from the past, Gaara tells Rock Lee to stand down and let him take on Kimimaro. Meanwhile, Naruto continues on his quest to catch the runaway Sasuke.

Shikamaru's group is brought back to Konoha with many injuries. Neji and Chouji could possibly die, Kiba has a deep wound but nothing too serious, and Naruto and Shimakamru have a few injuries. When Sakura finds out they are back ,she goes immediatley to see Sasuke and Naruto but finds out Sasuke got away. Can Naruto keep his promise to Sakura? And what news does the Jiraiya have for Naruto?

Kaela battles the hackers as the poison gas release ticks closer. Keith drags Boris on a chase outside the city, pursuing Koku and one of the gang.

When Wein's second meeting with King Ordalasse ends with deadly consequences, the Natran delegation flees with the Cavarinians in hot pursuit. But Wein has a plan to turn hunter into hunted. Zenovia asks a favor that Wein is hard-pressed to refuse.

With Hinata's safety in danger, the group must try and figure out a way to save her and protect the Bikouchuu at the same time. Every time one side seems to have an edge though, the other reveals yet a new trick. As dawn approaches, they don't have long left....can they succeed?

Neji's on the run from Kidomaru's bow and arrow attacks. Will Neji make it out alive or will his new-found enemy hit his blindspot dead on?

Now that Sasuke is in safe hands, Naruto and Jiraiya can continue their search for Tsunade. When they arrive at a city with a festival on the way, Jiraiya and Naruto have some fun, at least until Naruto puts a stain on a man's shirt. Jiraiya uses a new technique that easily defeats the man and offers to teach it to Naruto. What is this new technique and can Naruto master it?