Ep 1: Homecoming

Episodes 1 and 2 were shown together.

Naruto and Sakura run around Orochimaru's hideout looking for Sasuke. There's a sudden explosion outside somewhere. Sai is in the crater. Sakura and Naruto join him. Sasuke appears on the crater's outer rim. Flashback to fight between Sasuke and Naruto.

Naruto asks Sasuke why he didn't kill him if he wanted to break those bonds. Flashbak to Itachi telling Sasuke about killing his best friend. Sasuke says he didn't want to obtain power the same way and he spared Naruto on a whim.

Sasuke suddenly appears by Naruto. Sasuke pulls out his sword and apparently stabs Naruto with it. Cuts to the ninetails inside Naruto who tries to convince him to use his power. Sasuke appears behind Naruto, inside his mind, and sees the ninetails fox demon. The demon recognizes him as a Uchiha, and calls them the cursed clan: "Eyes with such power and charka, more sinister than my own, just as Uchiha Madara." Sasuke grabs the nine-tails and it bursts apart.

(previous takes place later in the manga, now back to present)

A team tries to catch a cat. Three figures follow it running across laundry, through fences, and crash into the old ramen chef who is making a delivery. He calls out "Naruto" but it's Konohamaru and his friends. Konohamaru tackles the cat from above while Moegi contacts Ebisu to let him know they have Tora the cat. Madame Shijimi takes the cat home after payment. Ebisu scolds his team for taking so long. Konohamaru asks Iruka for a harder mission then sits down on the floor and says he'll be the 7 th Hokage when Iruka and Ebisu lecture him. Tsunade asks him who's the 6 th , and he responds Naruto will be the 6 th .

Later Iruka, Tsunade, and Shizune, talk about Naruto and Jiraiya returning soon.

Naruto and Jiraiya enter Konoha, passing by Izumo and Kotetsu who are seem to be half asleep at the gate. Naruto notices that Tsunade has been added to the Hokage mountain.

Sakura sees him on top of the pole. He jumps down and she notices he's now taller than she is. She asks if she's more womanly now, but Naruto says she's exactly the same, which pisses her off.

Konohamaru shows Naruto his sexy no jutsu, but Naruto says he's not a kid anymore and he shouldn't use techniques like that. Sakura thinks he's grown up, but then Naruto says that technique is too weak and he'll show him his new perverted ninjutsu! Sakura knocks Naruto down before he can.

In the Hokage's office, Tsunade wants Naruto to fight against. door opens and it's.

Review: Interesting way to start the time jump by jumping further ahead and then back. I guess fans needed to see Sasuke ASAP!

Notes:

Sasuke doesn't know who Uchiha Madara is.

It's been 2 and a half years since Naruto left.

Break1: Younger Naruto vs older Naruto 145 cm grows to166cm; keyword "Shi"

Break2: Older Sakura shows off to younger Sakura and complains about Tsunade's strict training. Next key word is a small "tsu"

Thoughts:

Why is the Uchiha considered a cursed clan? Are they the product of genetic engineering, created as the ultimate shinobi for war?

Ichiraku takeout is in bowls rather than plastic containers.