Jiraiya, Sakura and Naruto then head to Tsunade's office to report the former two's arrival. Meanwhile, Sakura continues to berate Naruto for pulling a move like that when they have just reunited after nearly three years. Jiraiya is surprised at Sakura's temper and strength and realises that Tsunade has groomed Sakura into a secondary version of herself. However, Naruto then prepares to show Konohamaru as a much more advanced version of the Sexy Technique, igniting Sakura's anger and causing her to punch Naruto, sending him flying through concrete. Naruto then admonishes Konohamaru for using such a technique and that such a move is beneath him, prompting Sakura to reflect on how Naruto has changed on the inside as well, admiring the new mature Naruto while also slightly missing the younger, rambunctious Naruto. Konohamaru then decides to show Naruto his Sexy Technique, telling Naruto that he has managed to get the curves just right. She asks him whether she looks like a woman now, but he tells her that she does not, and that she looks the same as she did before, angering her. Sakura instantly notices that Naruto is taller than her now, and admires how mature he has become. Realising that Naruto has returned, Sakura and Konohamaru rush through the village and find him. As they get there, the two guards tell them that someone special just arrived and is currently inside the village. Sakura tells him that Tsunade asked her to run an errand by the front gate and invites them to tag along. Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi spot Sakura and Konohamaru asks where she's headed to. He notices Tsunade's face on Hokage Rock, and realises that that is the only difference. After entering the village, Naruto climbs up a pole and, standing on top of a tower, announces that Konoha hasn't changed for a bit and proudly declares that he has returned to Konoha.
The two ninja stationed at the border recognise the two instantly. Shizune then adds that Naruto and Jiraiya should be returning from their training and travel soon.Īt the same moment, Naruto and Jiraiya emerge out of the forest and enter through Konoha's border gate. As Team Ebisu leaves, Tsunade remarks that while Konohamaru may or may not be the future Seventh Hokage, he is definitely just like Naruto. The mention of Naruto's words elicits surprise from Iruka, Tsunade and Ebisu. When Tsunade asks why he said seventh instead of sixth, Konohamaru states that the position of Sixth Hokage will go to none other than Naruto. Konohamaru tells them that they are all looking at the Seventh Hokage. Konohamaru sits down on the floor and asks for a tougher mission, the same way Naruto did following his mission capturing the very same cat. Ebisu states that they are only genin, and Tsunade adds that fresh graduates from the Academy only get D-rank missions. After completing their mission, Konohomaru asks for a tougher mission so that he may challenge himself. Teuchi immediately berates "Naruto", before remembering that it is Konohamaru and that Naruto is no longer in Konoha. Konohamaru runs into Teuchi, the owner of Ramen Ichiraku. In the present day, Team Ebisu is scampering out of a forest in Konoha, chasing a cat. Sasuke manages to dispel the fox's spirit and claims that he does not know who Madara is. The demon fox replies that he is impressed that Sasuke was able to see him inside of Naruto, even with his Sharingan, and adds that Sasuke is the spitting image of Madara Uchiha. Naruto is surprised that Sasuke is "inside of him" and Sasuke realises that Naruto's incredible source of power stems from the Nine-Tails, surprised that such a beast is kept confined in Naruto. Before Naruto can do so, he is interrupted by Sasuke. The Nine-Tailed Fox then offers his power to Naruto, but asks Naruto to remove the seal holding the demon fox in place.
While Naruto muses about how he couldn't even save his friend, let alone be Hokage, Sasuke pulls out his sword and prepares to kill Naruto. Sasuke then instantaneously comes down, and keeping one arm around Naruto, mocks his dream of being Hokage. Sasuke remembers Itachi's words regarding the Mangekyō Sharingan and tells Naruto that he didn't want to kill him to obtain power the way Itachi did. Naruto and Sasuke remember their last encounter at the Valley of the End, and Naruto asks Sasuke how come Sasuke did not kill him that day. After spotting light at the end of the tunnel, where another man awaits, Naruto and Sakura exit the tunnel to find Sasuke watching them from above. The episode begins with Naruto, Sakura and an unknown man running down a dimly-lit tunnelled hallway, checking every door in order to find Sasuke Uchiha. " Homecoming" ( 帰郷, Kikyō) is episode 1 of the Naruto: Shippūden anime.